The cat has finally been let out of the bag, as Delta State Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama, SAN makes bold to declare his resolve to contest in the 2015 governorship election in the state.
Utuama, who had in October 2014, dissociated himself from posters purportedly announcing his intention to vie for the 2015 governorship position in the state, has accepted his nomination form for 2015 gubernatorial race procured for him by the Peoples Network for Utuama.
Utuama promised to consolidate on the existing gains of democracy in Delta State as well as improving on it for the good of all Deltans.
He made the promise on Tuesday, November 03, 2014 while receiving the nomination form at his country home, Otu- Jeremi, Ughelli South Local Government Area.
“I am going into the gubernatorial race with one message and one expectation. The expectation is that, I am going to consolidate the gains of democracy since 1999 till date, add to it, and move Delta State forward for the good of all. Anything good that has happened in Delta State will be consolidated, for the good of everybody irrespective of your background and tribe, because I am a Deltan”. Prof. Utuama assured.
“All that I know how to do in life is to serve. I have never served in any capacity with the intention to profit myself alone, but I have given faultless service in wherever I belong or call to serve”. Prof. Utuama asserted.
The state deputy governor while expressing his appreciation to the Peoples Network for Utuama and the overwhelming supporters, noted that power and authority comes from God only.
According to him; ” I am overwhelmed by this gesture by the Peoples Network for Utuama and humbled by the effort you have all put in to secure this expression of interest and nomination form for the gubernatorial race of Delta State. Those who asked me why were I reluctant to be a gubernatorial candidate? I told them, I was not reluctant but I was waiting for God’s call”.
“I was waiting for God’s call because without God I cannot be where I am today and without God I cannot move forward. I think all that is happening today is God’s doing, I saw it! I saw it, and I believe it and God is doing it for us”. Prof Utuama stated.
Further, he said, ” I want to assure you that by the grace of God and with your support and the support of Deltans, we shall get there. By the grace of God and your support for this course, we shall get to our destination. I am very sure if we are able to win the primaries and also win the election and we are on the seat, you shall not be disappointed by the grace of God”.
Prof. Utuama, who asserted that a formal date for his declaration will come after President Jonathan’s declaration, assured that all that needs to be done will be properly followed in ensuring that the effort by all bears fruit, adding that the confidence of competence, capacity and capability reposed on him is overwhelming.
Presenting the 2015 gubernatorial nomination form to the state deputy governor, Dr. John Ogahun of the Peoples Network for Utuama, noted that the mark of good leadership exhibits competence, capacity and capability.
He asserted that, with the developmental stride of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, there is need for somebody who is competent, who has the capacity and the integrity to succeed him.
“And with so many people in the race, who else is better to succeed our amiable governor other than a professor of law, who have serve this state from its inception as a civilian government? Prof. Utuama has served as an attorney general and also as a deputy governor, he is trusted and reliable. We are begging Prof. Utuama to accept the nomination form because we know he can continue the good work which our amiable Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, has started and he will move it to a higher level”. Dr. Ogahun stated.
Recall:
Blank NEWS Online recalls that Delta State Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama, had in October 2014, dissociated himself from posters purportedly announcing his intention to vie for the 2015 governorship position in the state, describing them as unsolicited.
A statement by his Press Secretary, Augustine Avwode read:
“It has come to our notice that some unscrupulous individuals have been pasting the posters of the Delta State Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Agbe Utuama (SAN), purportedly announcing his ambition to vie for the 2015 governorship election in the state.
“The said posters have been sighted in the Mosogar area of Ethiope West Local Government Area of the state.
“We wish to make it abundantly clear that such individuals do not have either express or implied permission of His Excellency, Prof. Amos Utuama (SAN) to print, paste or distribute any posters whatsoever linking him with the 2015 Governorship contest in the state.
“For the umpteenth time, we wish to state for the avoidance of doubt that much as Prof. Utuama is eminently qualified to vie for any political office of his choice in 2015, he has not declared his intention to run for any office, knowing full well that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet to blow the whistle.”
“We wish, therefore, to dissociate Prof. Amos Utuama, SAN, from the said posters in its entirety and urge the public to disregard same because it is an illegality, which a renowned Professor of Law of his calibre and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) will never subscribe to.”
Profile:
Professor Amos Agbe Utuama, SAN was born on June 5, 1947 to the family of Mr. Okperon”Utuama and Mrs. Bukeroro Utuama of Otu-Jeremi, in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
He attended L.A. School, Otu-Jeremi; Commercial Modem School, Benin City; passed his G.C.E Ordinary/Advanced Level 1972/1973 as a private candidate; and the University of Lagos where he graduated with an LL.B Degree in 1977.
Prof. Utuama was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1978. He holds the academic and professional qualifications of LL.B (Hons), LL.M. and Ph.d. from the University of Lagos and B.L. from the Nigerian Law School, Lagos.
As a result of his professional and academic versatility, he was appointed a Professor of Law in the Department of Private and Property Law, at his alma mater, The University of Lagos in 1998. Aside from his professional excellence and reliability, Prof. Utuama was at different times appointed a consultant to the African Development Bank, G.M. Ibru & Co. and several Oil companies and Organisations.
Professor Utuama held the position of Attorney-General/Commissioner for Justice of Delta State from 1999-2007 thus becoming one of the longest serving Attorneys-General/Commissioner for Justice since the creation of Delta State.
Professor Utuama’s contributions to national service span a host of offices, bodies, councils and committees. These include: Member of the Technical Committee of the South-South Governors and National Legislators Forum; member, Council of Legal Education (1993-2003); Chairman, Tenders Board of Council of Legal Education (1993-2003), and Member, Body of Benchers (1993-2003), Member Delta State Boundary Committee and Member Delta State Security Council and Member Delta State Executive Council (1999-2003 and 2003-2007).
He is also a member of the prestigious Chartered Institute of Arbitration in the UK and a follow of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (FNITP).
During his tenure as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Delta State, Utuama articulated issues relating to resource control and True Federalism. He successfully prosecuted and defended several cases at the Supreme Court affecting the various tiers of government in the Federation. Most notable of these was the Seaward Boundary case between the Att-Gen of the Federation and Att-Gen of Abia State & 35 Others. The success of the counterclaim of Delta State resulted in largely defining and reshaping the principles of revenue allocation of the Federation Account in line with the 1999 Constitution.
Prof. Utuama is an author and editor of over 100 publications, and has earned many recognitions, honours and commendations including several local and international awards.
On September 26, 2005, he was conferred with the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). Prof. Utuama is a devout Christian of the Catholic faith and is married to his hearthrob Nelly a union that is blessed with four children.
An eminent lawyer, scholar and administrator, Prof. Utuama was elected the Deputy Governor alongside his equally outstanding colleague; Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan as Governor at the April 2007 Governorship Elections in Delta State.
