Delta 2015: Why Uduaghan Withdrew from Senatorial Race

Delta State, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan
has announced his withdrawal from the Delta
South Senatorial race.
Uduaghan made the surprise announcement
on Friday, saying he made the move in order
to ensure that peace reigns in the state.
The withdrawal is coming less than 48 hours
to the primary, meaning that the incumbent
holder of the office, Senator James Manager
would most likely be returned unopposed as
the primary of the ruling People’s Democratic
Party (PDP) for next year’s election was
supposed to be between Manager and
Uduaghan.
Commenting on the withdrawal, Uduaghan
said he had a meeting yesterday with
President Goodluck Jonathan and the national
Chairman, Dr. Adamu Muazu where the
political situation in Delta State was critically
analysed and the outcome of the meeting
pushed him to make the sacrifice for peace to
reign.
“I have to offer myself as a sacrifice to ensure
that the political and security tension that had
built up in recent times is reduced," Uduaghan
said.
"In doing that I am aware that a lot of my
followers will be very unhappy but I want to
appeal to them that I have to do this for the
sake of this state.”
He clarified that nobody forced him to step
down, adding that quitting the senatorial race
will offer him the opportunity to concentrate
on national issues and also allow him to
properly manage the remaining PDP primaries
and next year's elections.