Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Special Adviser to the Delta State Governor on Special Duties, Hon Samuel Oghenevwogaga Mariere, has declared interest to contest for Ughelli North, Ughelli South, Udu federal constituency seat in the House of Representatives, with a promise to bring back the dividends of democracy to the people.
Hon Mariere, a former two terms member of the Delta State House of Assembly, declared his intention before the People’s Democratic Party, PDP Elders and Leaders Council in Ughelli North, and statutory delegates of the party, also in Ughelli North local government area.
Hon Mariere told the Ughelli North PDP Elders and Leaders Council and the statutory delegates, that he was officially presenting himself once again for consideration as flag-bearer of the PDP, ahead of the coming general elections and to seek their support as he has all it takes to provide the needed quality representation of the people in the House of Representatives.
The renowned Lawyer, Chief and vibrant former state lawmaker, stated that the best is needed at the Green Chamber in Abuja and that he represents the very best to reposition the Ughelli-Udu federal constituency to take her pride of place as the heart of Urhobo nation.
He said, “Today, I stand before you to formally declare my intention to once again seek nomination of our great party, the PDP to retain and fly the flag of the party for the House of Reps, Ughelli North, South and Udu Fed Constituency. You will recall that sometime in 2018 the party delegates graciously nominated me to fly the party flag in the 2019 general elections. We took our campaigns around towns and villages in the constituency. The results were very encouraging. For the first time, PDP won in Udu, we also won Ughelli South, but for the massive rigging in Orogun, we also won in Ughelli North”.
Reflecting on challenges faced during the election in 2019, Mariere stated “Our task in that election was very onerous, in that our brother and co-party member that lost in the party primaries, defected to the SDP. He secured about 13,000 votes in the final result. If that was added to the 37,000 plus votes that we had, we would have secured about 50,000 votes and conveniently won the election with a margin of over 10,000 votes.
“Our very comfortable win in Arhavwanrien, Gbaregolor, Otor-Ewu, Osusurhie, and many of the riverine communities, was destroyed, not by our opponents, but by our fellow party members who were sympathetic to the SDP cause. We have done a thorough analysis of all that happened in 2019, we have realized our mistakes, and we are very sure that we can correct those mistakes and get victory for our great party in 2023”.
While commending the party for the confidence reposed on him in 2019, Mariere noted “the ticket of our party was given to me in 2019 because our leaders and delegates realized that I was the best amongst those who contested in the primaries. I make bold to say that my antecedent in the Delta State House of Assembly where I represented the good people of Ughelli North 1 State constituency was a big factor.
“It is on record that we attracted infrastructure to the constituency with unprecedented vigor and energy. Every community in the constituency received attention from my stay in the State Assembly in form of projects execution, empowerment of our youths and woman amongst other testimonies.
“In terms of legislative duties which are the primary and core responsibility of a legislator, I stood out amongst my colleagues as a shining star churning out 23 bills and many motions, many of which were duly passed and accented to by the governor. I was a reference point in legislative sagacity in the House of Assembly. The people trusted I could do more in the House of Representatives hence the mandate which was generously given to me by the party.
Soliciting for the support of the people, he said
“I present myself to serve once again to take up the onerous task before us, I want to assure you that I understand the rudiment of the politics of the land. Our constituency is the heart of Urhobo comprising of 14 out of the 24 Kingdoms in Urhoboland with two of the 24 in Delta South. That makes the constituency to stand out in many ways.
“The Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency accounts for over 500,000 votes, more than the votes in Bayelsa state, yet we have not gained so much from government particularly at the federal level. We need to work hard and reposition the constituency so as to reap maximum benefits from the politics of Nigeria.There are so many things to be corrected so as to reposition this constituency to take her pride of place.
“Be rest assured that I have the mental and intellectual capacity to face the task of representing our people better. We need to send our very best hand and I am proud to announce that I am the best amongst all the aspirants. I have researched extensively into many issues troubling our progress and I strongly believe that with the right legislative framework, contacts, connection and push, we shall gain more from government. That is why I present myself to be nominated again by our great party.
The Special Adviser, Special Duties to Governor Okowa, explained that as a descendant of the famous Mariere family of Evwreni, he has a name to protect, stressing that the patriarch of the family, Late Samuel Jereton Mariere stood out as a notable patriot in his time.
“Our father served Urhobo and the defunct Midwest State well as Governor, leaving incredible footprints in the sand of time. I am well positioned to carry on the legacies of our father, build on it and take the stakes even higher for the good of our people.
“Let me announce to you that with the passage of the new Electoral Act, the era of toxic votes which was brought in to erode our victory in 2019 is over. We won clean and clear votes in 2019. If we invest half the energy and efforts we brought into the election in 2019 into the 2023 polls, we shall be sure of victory. Let me assure further that we shall redouble our efforts and leave nothing to chance.
Concluding, Hon Mariere explained that the coming elections are not ordinary ones, stressing “ we need capable hands with the energy and mental strength to face and defeat the opponents. We shall be relying on clean and credible votes and only a man with street credibility, popular and strong bond with the people could bring home the trophy we so desire. Send me and you shall not regret your choice”.
He thanked the Ughelli North PDP Elders and Leaders Council for its commitment to getting the best for the local government area, even as he recalled his services to the council as the General Secretary of the body for seven years.
Mariere also paid glowing tributes to the statutory delegates for their support and encouragement and for recognizing the need to take Ughelli-Udu Federal Constituency to greater heights.
The Chairman, Ughelli North PDP Elders and Leaders Council, Chief Terry Noah, who respo on behalf of the Council and the Acting Chairman, PDP Ughelli North, Hon. Esinone Otoroba, who responded on behalf of the statutory delegates, commended Hon Mariere for his vision to represent the people in the Green Chamber and urged him to play by the rules of the electoral process.
Some of his teaming supporters that accompanied him for the formal declaration, described Hon Mariere as intelligent, pragmatic, tested, trusted and highly positioned to take Ughelli-Udu Federal Constituency to its pride of place.
They called on PDP delegates for the election to return him as the party flag bearer for the 2023 election, stressing that the party needs some one of such sound pedigree to face it opponent in the general election.
Prayers were offered for Hon Mariere by the PDP Elders and Leaders Council and the party delegates.