Unuafe Secures ADC Governorship Ticket in Delta

Dr. Emmanuel Unuafe has emerged as the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress in Delta State ahead of the forthcoming election.

Unuafe, 45, a lecturer at Arden University, was returned as the party’s candidate after emerging through a consensus arrangement during the ADC governorship primary held on Friday in Asaba.

Chairman of the ADC Screening and Primary Election Committee in Delta State, Jerry Ojale, announced the result, saying Unuafe fulfilled all requirements of the party and emerged unopposed.

“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,” Ojale said.

Ojale also dismissed reports of division within the party in Delta State, insisting that the ADC remains united under one leadership recognised by the electoral body.

“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, l am not aware,” he said.

Speaking after the exercise, Delta State chairman of the party, Austin Okolie, described the successful conduct of the primary as a new phase for the ADC in the state.

In his acceptance speech, Unuafe thanked party members for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to work toward improving living conditions across Delta State.

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

He added that his administration would focus on diversifying the economy through agriculture and sports development. “It is our vision to diversify our economy from oil and gas to agriculture… And this is our vision, to expand agriculture,” he said, adding that he would also leverage his position as a football referee in the UK to build partnerships that will boost sports talent discovery in Delta.