UK university professor emerges as ADC candidate

By Egufe Yafugborhi & Ochuko Akuopha, ASABA

A lecturer at Arden University in the United Kingdom, Dr. Emmanuel Unuafe, was declared the gubernatorial candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Delta State on Friday.

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Unuafe, 45, secured the party’s nomination after emerging as the consensus candidate in the ADC governorship primary held in Asaba, the state capital.

Mr. Jerry Ojale, chairman of the ADC Screening and Primary Election Committee in Delta State, announced Unuafe as the winner, noting that he met the party’s requirements without opposition in the primary election.

He said, “The party has its guidelines and we have our party constitution. Many people indicated interest, so when we passed through the processes, we found out that only one person qualified.”

Addressing speculation about factions within the state’s APC, Ojale stated, “We have only one Delta State chairman of the party whose name is on the INEC portal; Engr Austin Okolie. There is no other person there. We have only one Delta State Secretariat here in Asaba and this is the place. If there is faction, I am not aware.”

In his remarks, party chairman Engr. Austin Okolie described the primary election’s success as a new dawn for Delta State.

During his victory speech, Unuafe expressed his commitment to transforming Delta State into an economic powerhouse that improves the lives of its residents.

He said, “Growing up in the village, I was not born with a silver spoon. For the party to have entrusted me with their mandate, it is our vision that ADC will take power to redeem and improve living conditions in Delta State.”

He added, “It is our vision to diversify our economy from oil and gas to agriculture. The new law exempts agro businesses from paying tax. That means those entering meaningful agriculture will have more money in their pockets. And this is our vision, to expand agriculture.”

“I don’t believe in godfather. I don’t have one. It’s my administration’s commitment to ensure that a child of a common man will aspire to be a leader in Delta,” he continued.

To boost the economy, Unuafe plans to expand opportunities in the blue economy along Delta’s riverine areas.

He pledged to “invest in our rural areas, primary healthcare, and agro-export promotion to create more jobs and improve the economy.”

Unuafe expressed concern over the decline of once-booming businesses in Delta ports, Asaba Textile Mill, Delta Glass, and others, which he said had collapsed due to neglect.

He also noted that he would leverage his experience as a football referee in the UK to foster foreign collaborations that would enhance sports talent discovery in Delta.

He emphasized, “We will invest more in digitising government operations because there are leakages in our system. When we digitise, we will tighten the leakages, have more money in our coffers to improve the welfare of our workers and the living standard of the people.”

“While I was working on my nomination form, I went to the court to sign some documents and I was shocked at the poor condition of the Judiciary. My administration would ensure our workers are well looked after.”

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