A concerned group in Delta politics, Delta Democratic Movement (DDM) has called on the people of the state to look out for credible candidate ahead of the 2015 gubernatorial election.
In a statement made available to newsmen after its meeting in Abuja, the group decried politics of zoning and rotation being promoted by few individuals, saying they are doing so for selfish reason.
It noted that politics of zoning is capable of promoting politics of exclusion and rigging at the expense of a credible leadership needed to govern the state in 2015 and beyond.
The statement signed by Dr Peter Ebike, Barr. David Ekuetafia and Mr. Sam Omoko, the group stated that, surprise awaits those they described as merchants of politics of division, exclusion and rigging in the State come 2015.
The DDM noted that over the years Deltans have advanced politically to be able to choose their leaders through credible and meritorious processes than otherwise.
“Delta Democratic Movement is ready to work in concert with all well meaning stakeholders and citizens of the State to redirect energies of Deltans towards producing a popularly accepted Governor,’ the group stated.
It therefore, urged Deltans across the three senatorial zones that have gubernatorial ambitions to present themselves before the electorate. It noted further that “Delta State has come of age, and only the best is good enough for our people, irrespective of the zone the person hails from.
“It is pertinent to recall here that this politics of zoning and rotational leadership subtly crept into the body politics of Delta State when a group of political gladiators successfully experimented a deliberate political calculation to their favour and since then many people within and without Delta State have been ignorantly led to believe that there is an operational zoning formula in place where in the position of the governor is rotated among the three senatorial districts in the State.
“This has consequently engendered the ‘it is our turn’ mentality which in the past gave rise to imposition of candidates and unhealthy ethnic rivalry in the body politics of Delta State with the attendant problems of leadership by exclusion”, the statement read in part.
The group also alerted the people of the state that “As activities gear up towards the 2015 general elections, the cloud of the politics of imposition and exclusion is getting thicker with many of the aspiring governorship aspirants chorusing, even louder, the ‘it-is-our-turn‘ slogan, obviously without considering the implications of such outcome on the peace and security of the State.
“It is our candid belief in Delta Democratic Movement, that the only way to improve the electoral fortunes of Deltans is to create a level playing field for all aspirants/candidates irrespective of their zones of origin. In this way the Governor who will emerge will enjoy the support of the majority of the people of the State”.
