Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa
A political associate of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan and former Speaker in the old Rivers State House of Assembly, Chief Claudius Enegesi, Saturday promised to be the voice of the Niger Delta people if elected as member representing Ogbia Federal Constituency, Bayelsa.
Enegesi, a former member of the National Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and first PDP Chairman in Bayelsa, said the issue of remedying the ongoing despoliation of the Niger Delta environment will be pursued with more vigour when he gets to Abuja.
Enegesi noted that having sacrificed a lot to entrench the PDP in the state and with his nearly three decades of experience in some of the highest levels of politics in the country, he deserved to represent his people.
he PDP said: “I have seen the devastation that oil has caused our land and up until now, this country has not given our people their dues even after bearing the brunt of environmental devastation due to oil exploration and exploitation.
“I have a background in science. My focus when presenting bills would be how to leverage and ameliorate the plight of my people. There is kpo fire (illegal oil refineries) in my place and there is a high level of theft even by the security people.
“If I am given the chance, I have the voice and I will cry out over the level of devastation currently going on in this area. The politician who spoke at the PDP secretariat in Yenagoa, after undergoing screening, expressed optimism that the best and most qualified candidate would emerge eventually.”
He said the chance are very bright. I am a former legislator who represented Ogbia constituency 1 under the National Republican Convention (NRC) where my colleagues found me worthy to become the Speaker.
“After the creation of Bayelsa, I became the pioneer chairman of the PDP here and I saw to it that PDP was entrenched and it has been ruling the state.
“I have garnered a lot of experience in the legislature, in business and even as a renown administrator.” Aside the environment, he vowed to push for the establishment of an efficient transportation system in the region.
“The transport system here is not developed. I am going to ensure that I present bills that will enhance the free movement of goods and services in this region” he added.
He appealed to the delegates to give him their votes because of his experience which he said spans over 27 years, promising that with his wide network throughout the country, the voice of the Niger Delta will be heard loud and clear.
He also urged the national PDP to ensure a level playing ground so that the best aspirants will emerge. If you play god and the right candidate does not emerge, there might be problems,” he warned.
