*Vows To Change The Narrative In 2027
UNITED States-based Nigerian family physician, Austin Orette, has decried the treatment of constituents as beggars and nuisance by elected officials in Nigeria, vowing to redress the trend if given the opportunity to represent Delta South in the 2027 general elections.
In a recent press statement, Orette, who described his senatorial ambition as a call to service, promised to represent his people “superlatively and carve a new standard for leadership’’ if elected.
“I have always believed in public service. Serving the people has always been the elixir of my life. I am running for the senate because I see it as an avenue of service.
“This will be my third attempt. There is no reason to be afraid of anyone in the quest to serve my people. I have sincere hope that the people will shun mediocrity and elect me to be their voice in the next four years,’’ he added.
Orette, in the statement from Houston, Texas, highlighted his commitment to uplifting lives, bringing development to the grassroots and providing quality representation.
He stated: “The idea of kingmakers in a democracy is anachronistic. The voice of the people should be equal, instead of the echo of a selected few who have no interest in uplifting the welfare of the people. I will seek their blessing. The people are my backers. In a democracy, it is one man, one vote.’’
The family physician with over 40 years of experience said his people have lost faith in the system, lamenting: “Those they elected treat them as beggars and nuisance. When the people complain, they tell them to line up for palliatives.
“I see the people as the solution to our problems. I will fight to give them the knowledge and the know-how to dig us out of the ditch of ignorance we find ourselves. The people are the solution. I will empower the people, and the people will untie the ropes of ignorance and bondage.’’
He charged the people of Delta South to make a credible choice in the interest of the district, saying: “I am running for the senate, and my energies will be concentrated in my race.
“The criticism of being not on ground is analog thinking. Change can be done from anywhere around the world. What did those who are on ground achieve with their presence? They could not even leave Abuja to address their constituency.
“I will leave the present occupant to tell the people about his achievements.’
“My programmes and legislative impetus will change the lives of the people. There will be a flowering of consciousness, as we will emphasise good citizenship and leadership. We will pay serious attention to education, legal reforms and healthcare and maternal welfare.
“We will set up a digital library for the people. They will have access to any information around the world. We will get equipment for our artisans, such as welders, carpenters and mechanics, who will be retrained and equipped with modern tools.
“We will emphasise agriculture with modern equipment and good extension services that will make us self-sufficient. Vocational education will be highly encouraged.
“All hands will be on deck. Our people are in a crisis. I have friends and institutions around the world that be will assist me to articulate the solutions to the plight of my people, as we prepare them for positions of responsibility and leadership within Nigeria and beyond.”
He expressed readiness to fight for a new constitution, adding: “I will fight for a new constitution that respects the rights of the people, as our present constitution treats the people as tenants. We need to have a constitution that recognises us as the owners of this land called Nigeria.
“We have to fight to decentralise the power that is concentrated in Abuja. Abuja produces nothing, but consumes everything. Once the power is decentralised, our people can use it for massive development of our zone.”
Orette expressed optimism that President Bola Tinubu would win the 2027 presidential election, saying: “I believe he will be the best person to restructure Nigeria, as we need major restructuring before we can know any progress.
“We must restructure, if we want to pull our nation from the abyss that an unruly military plunged it into.”
