The presidential bid of Prince Adewole Adebayo, the Social Democratic Party (SDP), presidential candidate got a major boost as the Delta Ijaw Traditional Rulers Forum, gave its total support for him to actualize his ambition as president of Nigeria come 2023.
In demonstration of their commitment, the forum, led by His Royal Majesty (HRM), Elder Capt. (King) Dr. Joseph I. Timiyan (Ebenanaowei of Ogulagha kingdom) who doubles as the Chairman, Delta Ijaw Traditional Rulers Forum, prayed for him to succeed.
This was contained in a statement released by the APCO media team on Thursday.
According to the statement, the SDP Presidential Candidate in the company of his entourage made up of Solomon Dalung, Ugochukwu Uba, Prof Femi Olufunmilade and Godwin Osigbeme, went to seek royal blessing and support for his presidential race in February, he addressed some of the issues that have dominated their discussions with leaders and major stakeholders across the country and the state.
The issues addressed include the skewed political appointments against the people from the zone, crude oil theft, injustice against the people of the Niger Delta from where the wealth of the nation is taken from to enrich individual pockets and cronies, plans to buy votes, inability to pay salaries as well as the revamping of the agricultural sector to make the country's economy self-sustaining.
According to Adebayo, coming to Delta State was a homecoming of sorts, because he began his early life in Sapele, the administrative headquarter of Sapele local government area of the state.
Key highlights of the visit were the special royal prayer sessions laced with traditional invocations led by His Royal Majesty (HRM), King (Dr) Charles Ayemi Botu, the Pere of Seimbiri kingdom, who pledged total support for Adebayo's election victory.
He expressed belief that no matter what developmental strategies put in place, without long term solution such as bringing justice, fairness and equity to the people and ensuring that a southern president was enthrone in 2023, such efforts would always end up as short-lived.
"Truth is very important in the consciousness of the Ijaw people and the universe all together. Before the royal parents, we pledge to you that what the Social Democratic Party is bringing to Nigeria, are not promises of highways”.
He called on the people to vote for the Social Democratic Party in the 2023 general elections in order for them to enjoy justice and the wealth of their land.