Uduaghan has submitted his expression of interest form at the National Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja on Monday, and was received by National Chairman Adams Oshiomohle.
The former governor of Delta state who a few days ago, decamped from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling party APC, is bidding to contest for the Senate and represent the people of Delta South Senatorial zone in the 2019 elections, after a failed bid in 2015.
Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan who once tried to contest for the post, but failed in 2015, as the man that occupies the seat at present, Senator James Manager was given the nod to return as against his wish by the then Delta State PDP leaders.
Uduaghan is coming again, but this time under a different political party where he feels he can actualise his dream of becoming a Senator, since leaving office as a Governor in 2015.
It will be a tough task for Uduaghan no doubt, as going head to head with James Manager who has been in the Senate and also a senior member of PDP at the National Assembly since 2003 will not be an easy task, considering the political calculations in Delta State going to the 2019 general elections.
Uduaghan while dropping his nomination form said:
Earlier today, I submitted my Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to the chairman of our great party APC.
Thanks to all my supporters for believing in my candidacy. We shall get to the Senate.
by God’s grace.
Emmanuel Uduaghan will be looking to win the APC ticket so as to give Senator James Manager a serious challenge, as both the Ijaws and the Itshekiri communities argue whether or not James Manager should continue as a Senator or whether he should be replaced by an Itshekiri man.
There have been clamour by some groups asking James Manager who himself is a one time Chairman of PDP in the state to step down for others as his Senatorial District have done enough for him since 2003.
Although it is allged that Senator James Manager who is also eyeing to succeed Governor Okowa as Governor of the State has been given the green light by the Governor to go for another term, what we do not know is whether it was a consensus decision, as groups in the Southern Senatorial zone are demanding a change.
Emmanuel Uduaghan clearly has a serious challenge awaiting him come 2019 general elections.