Fiery Lagos lawyer and Human Rights activist, Mr. Festus Keyamo has given reasons why he is throwing his heart in the fray of partisan politics, seeking to replace the late Senator Pius Ewherido in the Senate.
In a statement released on Tuesday in Lagos and made available to Daily Review Online, he said: “In the inner recesses of our conscience, and whenever we kneel before our Creator to say the truth, we will all agree that our State has been thoroughly underdeveloped by successive governments since the return to civil rule in 1999. Many of us, understandably, may not have spoken out for so many reasons.
“Unfortunately, in the face of a smouldering silence, a dynasty of sorts has been created by this set of so-called leaders. And they have perfected the plan to handover from one selected ruler to another, with no interest in the real development of the State, and without consideration for the real choice of the electorate in free and fair elections.
“Some of us have been helpless onlookers as our State fell tragically into the hands of brigands, petty thieves, fraudsters, and thugs masquerading as “leaders”. It is very unfortunate. Sadly, we cannot expect any drastic change under such a woeful situation where a set of corrupt and inefficient leaders produce and anoint another set of corrupt and inefficient leaders. The game of musical chairs will continue and the circle of poverty as a result of misrule will also continue to expand.
“It is in the light of this depressing condition that some patriots, early this year, floated the progressive platform, Delta Forces United, to aggregate progressive thoughts and bring together all those who hate what is happening in our dear State. History teaches us that it is always a grave mistake not to properly berth a revolution. Consequently, the more than 5,000 registered members of the group have moved en masse into the newly registered All Progressives Congress (APC) with the clear aim of wrestling power from the devious clique that continues to hold us to ransom in Delta State.
“After the launch of the Delta Forces United, it became public speculation that I was interested in the Governorship race in Delta State come 2015. Of course I had my eyes on the Governorship race whilst I was mobilizing the Delta Forces United to join the APC, and that, undeniably, still remains my ultimate goal. I will never abandon that goal. However, the journey of a thousand miles starts with one step.
“And he, who is great in smaller things, will be greater in bigger things. In this regard, the Senate seat presents a unique and humble opportunity for me to bring to bear my enduring enthusiasm and skills for the supreme benefit of my people in public office, and to set the tone for the quality of leadership that is to come. That is why I am running for the vacant Senate seat in Delta Central. And if the people give me a pass mark, they will eventually decide whether to push me forward, or withdraw me from the guber race. Like we say in DFU, na our hand e dey!!!
“I have always been bemused to hear people say I am new to the intricate game of politics. For the avoidance of doubt, let me set the records straight. I was one of the four persons who sat down to conceptualize the National Conscience in 1994 with my late boss, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, and I was the first Northern co-ordinator of the movement that later metamorphosed into a political party (National Conscience Party).
” I have also, in the last twenty-one years of my professional career, handled hundreds of cases involving inter and intra-party disputes, which gives me a rare insight into the various intrigues and shenanigans in political parties in particular and politics in general. I have often wondered whether anyone is born with “politician” written on his or her forehead; whether the likes of Comrade Oshiomhole, Governor Kayode Fayemi, Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN), and even President Goodluck Jonathan (who was a lecturer) and so many others were “politicians” before they decided to contest for public office.
“I believe Delta State deserves a new set of thinkers, even if they are not perfect; a new set of ideas, to inject life into the politics of the State; a new beginning, just to get things right. We, as a people, deserve total freedom from the yoke of bondage. That is why I make no pretence about it that the central theme of my foray into Delta politics is to dethrone the old order of crass corruption and bad governance and to lead a revolution of real change. We must oppose the succession plan of the PDP”.