Rev Waive Wins House of Reps Poll for Ughelli North, South, Udu Federal Constituency

…Beats Mariere, Awhinawhin with 41,385 Votes, Extends Hand of Fellowship to Co-contestants.

By Shedrack Onitsha & Atevure Princess

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has declared Rev Francis Ejiroghene Waive, candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, winner of Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu federal constituency election with a total 41,385 votes.

Rev Waive defeated his closest rivals, Barr Samuel Mariere of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the incumbent house of representative member, Hon. Solomon Awhinawhin of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, to second and third place respectively.

Declaring the result at the Ughelli collation center, Dr. Igbinoba Eghosa, INEC Returning Officer for Delta central senatorial district said, Rev Francis Waive, of APC polled a total of 41385 votes to beat Barr Samuel Mariere, PDP candidate who polled 35126 votes, while SDP candidate, Hon Solomon Awhinawhin scored 11098.

In a statement by Rev Francis Ejiroghene Waive, Member-Elect

Federal House of Representatives, Ughelli North, Ughelli South, Udu Constituency thanked his constituent for their support, by entrusting him with their mandate.

He also extended his hand of fellowship to his co-contestant charging them to put the contest which he described as a family one and join hands with him to attract the needed democratic dividend to the constituency.

The statement read: A ‘thank you’ statement by Rev Francis Ejiroghene Waive; Member-Elect federal House of Representatives Ughelli North, Ughelli South, Udu constituency.

“I am indeed elated today as I say a big thank you to my people; the good people of Ughelli North Ughelli South Udu Constituency who have overwhelmingly elected me to represent them in the Federal House of Representatives. I am sure those who made the choice have looked at my pedigree and my antecedents as an Accountant, Development Worker and Clergyman of repute before asking me to serve them as their legislator at the federal level.  I bring to the job my education, skills, patriotism, exposure, contacts and clout to make my people proud.  I am not here for the social prestige, economic benefits, political access and relevance, but for quality representation and robust engagement of ministries, departments and agencies of the federal government for the benefit of my people.

“Permit me to thank in a very special way all those who worked tirelessly to ensure our victory; these include our committed party men, hundreds of clergymen; my colleagues in church ministry, captains of commerce and industry in our area, hundreds of women and youth groups, my friends and family and others too numerous to mention. I will continue to depend on your prayers, counsel and support in order to make a difference for our people.

“I seek the support of all and sundry across party lines to bring development and the dividends of democracy to Ughelli North Ughelli South Udu constituency. I also want to thank my brothers who contested with me for putting up a good fight, but as one big family that we are, let us join hands together to advance the course of our constituency, election is over. We will welcome any idea that will bring about development of our constituency.  I am passionate about whatever I do. I will not fail our people.

“My election will promote transparency and accountability in governance. It will bring progress and development to our constituency. My tenure will impact positively on the majority of our people. Together we will change the narrative. In the words of George Banks; ‘I live for those who love me, for those who know me true, for heaven that smiles above me, for the cause that lacks assistance, for the wrong that needs resistance, for the future in the distance and the good that I can do.”

 Thank you for your attention.

Rev Francis Ejiroghene Waive
Member-Elect
Federal House of Representatives
Ughelli North Ughelli South Udu Constituency