Chief James Augoye, a frontline aspirant for the governorship election in Delta State, has rejected being screened out of the race by the DC-23 Screening Committee.
Augoye, who was reacting to the final report by the DC-23 Screening Committee, which announced David Edevbie, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, and Sheriff Oborovwori as candidates approved to contest the election from Delta Central Senatorial District.
The former Commissioner for Works said the report by the DC-23 was not final, saying he only participated in the exercise to fulfil all righteousness.
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Addressing newsmen shortly after the report was made public, Augoye noted that he has the mandate of Deltans to contest in the forthcoming election, and as such, the report will not stop him.
He further noted that the outcome of the party primaries would be the only pointer to determine his position.
Augoye said: “The outcome of the screening exercise of DC-23 has been brought to my notice. The outcome is not surprising. The screening committee had its job cut out.
“I shared my ideas and plans for the growth and development of Delta State with the committee. I was able to prove to the committee that I am the best choice for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to win the 2023 governorship election in Delta.
“I told the committee that I am not only contesting the governorship election on a personal mandate, but on a collective mandate of Deltans. Deltans have reposed their trust on me. They have given me their mandate. So, I cannot let them down.
“Even, our amiable Governor, His Excellency, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa and other leaders of our great party, the PDP have agreed that the governorship primaries would be free for all, fair and transparent.
“Moreover, I subjected myself to the screening exercise to fulfill all righteousness. The outcome of the screening is not final. As enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, only a political party can present a candidate for election, not a pressure group.
“On these grounds, I am still very much in the race for the 2023 governorship election of Delta State. We will see at the primaries. At this time, I urge my teeming followers at home and in the diaspora to remain calm, focused and stay the course,” he said.
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