8th April, 2014
Lanre Babalola
Renowned writer and commentator, Ogaga Ifowodo has joined the race for the House of Representatives for the Isoko Federal Constituency in Delta State.
Ifowodo who is contesting the election under the banner of the All Progressives Congress, APC, declared his intention while addressing his supporters at Oleh.
The human rights activist who returned to the country recently from overseas, said he decided to contest for public office in order to serve the country diligently and honestly.
“I have only one abiding commitment and that is to serve my country diligently and honestly to the best of my ability. I do not seek office as a means of corrupt self-enrichment and to earn the vain title of ‘Honourable.’ The general good, and not the greed and interests of a select few with access to the corridors of power, has always been and will forever remain my motivation,” he stated.
The social commentator promised to fight and correct the injustices done to the Isoko people by ensuring that attention is paid to the area which is a major oil and gas producing part of the Niger Delta.
“As our representative in Abuja, I promise to strain every nerve and to use every skill I have to project our pains and our expectations onto the national stage. I will do this in constant consultation with you, and in solidarity with fellow oppressed communities in the Niger Delta and across the nation,” he told his audience.
Ifowodo said as a lawyer called to the bar 23 years ago, he would be at home in a legislative parliament.
“As a poet, writer and humanist who has had the priviledge of travelling the world and living in Europe and America, I know firsthand what incalculable difference responsible law making and governance can make in the lives of the people when the welfare of the masses is the focus of law and policies.
“What the Isokos need more than anything else for the 2015 elections is change. Change of the selfish, corrupt and inept leadership that exploits and marginalises us; change in our political attitude by not selling our votes or refusing to vote,” he stated.