The former Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, has refuted reports that he is seeking chieftaincy title in his community. He stated that from childhood he had made up his mind never to be chief, saying that if he had so decided, no one can stop him.
“We seem to have so many Donald Trumps in our society. It is only a “Trump” that can be thinking of stopping me from becoming a Chief if I wanted to. I have had a personal conviction at an early age that I will not take Chieftancy title. That conviction remains.”
“While in office, I made it clear publicly that I was not interested in being a Chief. I respect those who are Chiefs and will always do,” he declared.
The former governor said that he had a major disagreement with his father for accepting to become a Chief. “My father died over 15 years ago. Nobody has taken that title till today. Some people wanted to bend the rules for me to take it, but I refused,” he said.
Uduaghan disclosed that as a Commissioner and Secretary to the State Government (SSG),
he was offered several titles but he politely refused to take them.
“As a Governor, I gave out staff of office to several traditional rulers directly or through my Deputy Governor. I inaugurated and superintendent over the Delta State traditional rulers council with the then Olu of Warri Ogiame Atuwatse II, as Chairman, even when some Itsekiris were opposed to it, for reasons I will not state here. To their shame and embarrassment, the Olu did not only complete his term, he succeeded in bringing unity amongst traditional rulers in Delta State and they spoke with one voice,” he said.
He questioned what has changed that will now make him become interested and even lobby to become a Chief.
“As a former Governor of Delta State for eight years, I have a higher platform to contribute to society, including Itsekiri land. Let me remind these Itsekiri “Trumps” that they were nowhere to be found when the organising committee for the last coronation of the Olu of Warri , were having challenges in providing adequate security for those who were attending the ceremony. Without being a Chief of the land, I had to intervene in various ways to deal with it” Uduaghan declared.
He maintained: “I have never lobbied to be a Chief and will never lobby to be one. I am praying that God will continue to keep me away from being interested in becoming a Chief.
I am glad HRM Ikenwoli 1, the Olu of Warri, came out to clarify the position.”
I congratulate all those being offered Chieftancy titles by HRM. May God give them the wisdom to play the roles they are being assigned, he said.