The news reaching HardReporters political desk, has it that the immediate past governor of Delta State, Emmanuel Uduaghan and the member representing Warri North in the Delta State House of Assembly, Michael Diden, (Ejele), are currently battling for the soul of the Delta South Senatorial District on who represents the district in the National Assembly (NASS), come 2019.
The duo who are of the Itsekiri extraction, are also from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
It was gathered that following the alleged tensed battle between the two brothers, Uduaghan’s predecessor and cousin brother, James Ibori, unsuccessfully waded into the political matter.
A source said that Ibori, had allegedly invited the pairs to the Very Important Person (VIP) Lodge of the Government House about three weeks ago with the sole aim of pressurizing Diden, to step down for Uduaghan, a move that was vehemently opposed by the House member.
According to our dependable source, Diden was quoted to have asked Uduaghan to give him strong reasons why he should step down for him ahead of the senatorial race.
“Why should I step down for you?, this was among other posers Diden was said to have put across to Uduaghan in the parley meeting which was deadlocked. Ibori was confused, he couldn’t say anything. He got tired of the whole drama”, our source alleged further.
Our correspondent reliably gathered that the former governor is more favoured to represent the district in the National Assembly following his experience and educational background, unlike the house of Assembly member who is not schooled and does not know how to express himself and lacks value in legislature.
“Former governor Uduaghan is more advantaged than Ejele. Crying out loud we are talking about the National Assembly not the state assembly where everybody is from the same state. Law making is a serious business and Uduaghan is fit for the job. Ejele is a sleeping law maker, can he withstand those brains at the national Assembly.? Unfortunately, you can’t write the story of Ejele without Uduaghan.” a source stated.
Uduaghan, it was further gathered, during his reign as governor, empowered Diden to the point that he became a demigod and multimillionaire.
Calls to Diden were not responded to but an associate of Diden who pleaded for anonymity when our correspondent contacted him to speak on the development declined comments while our correspondent at the time of filing in this report all efforts to speak with Uduaghan failed as his mobile line was not reachable.
HardReporters also learnt that the former governor, Uduaghan is said to be have a running battle with the incumbent senator representing Delta South in the National Assembly, James Manager.