BY GODWIN IJEDIOGOR
THE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, on Sunday, October 12, passed a vote of confidence in President Bola Tinubu and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and endorsed them as its sole candidates for the 2027 presidential and governorship elections, respectively.
This was the outcome of a well-attended stakeholders meeting held at the State Banquet Hall, Government House, Asaba, with chieftains, serving and former national and state lawmakers, commissioners, local government chairmen, local government areas party chairmen and political leaders across the three senatorial districts, including Deputy Governor, Monday Onyeme, in attendance. However, the party’s governorship candidate in the 2023 general elections and former deputy senate president, Ovie Omo-Agege was absent at the meeting. Omo-Agege, until recently, was considered to be leader of APC in the state and practically hanpicked its current executive ahead of the last elections.
Motion for the vote of confidence was moved by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), and seconded by former speaker of the state House of Assembly, Victor Ochei.
While moving the motion, Keyamo praised Tinubu’s “bold reforms and transformative leadership,” citing the removal of fuel subsidy as a responsible policy decision that redirected billions of naira into critical national infrastructure.
According to him: “Just two days ago, Mr. President approved $1billion for resuscitation of the Warri Port and others.”
He listed other key national projects to include the Lagos/Calabar coastal road and the rebuilding of Lagos Airport, all direct results of subsidy removal savings, adding that the President has proven to be a prudent manager and visionary leader.
Keyamo commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his visionary leadership and for the massive infrastructural development across the state.
He then moved that the Delta APC passes a vote of confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and adopts them as the party’s sole candidates for the 2027 general election.
Ochei, while seconding the motion, hailed Tinubu and Oborevwori’s inclusive governance and developmental impact across Nigeria and Delta State, respectively, adding: “The people of Delta State and the South-South stand firmly behind the President and Governor for their vision for a renewed Nigeria and Delta State.”
In his remarks, Oborevwori expressed deep gratitude to the APC stakeholders for the confidence reposed in him and the President, pledging to continue delivering on his development agenda for Delta State.
“I want to thank you for the confidence reposed on us and for accepting us as sole candidates in 2027. The APC is growing stronger by the day, because more governors will join us before the end of November,” he said.
The governor commended the President’s leadership, describing him as “a man who rewards loyalty, commitment and results.”
He added: “In 2027, our votes will be our report card. Those who claim to love the President must show it through the ballot. I won 21 out of 25 local governments in the last election, because we worked and stayed loyal. That’s what real commitment means.”
He cautioned against disloyalty within the party, saying some members who did not work for APC during the last elections had benefited unduly, even as he added: “Some in power today didn’t work for the APC, but we know them. When the time comes, we will expose them. This time, loyalty will be rewarded, not hypocrisy.”
He called for unity and collective decision-making, charging leaders to put the interest of the party above personal ambitions.
Immediate past governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, expressed delight at the gathering, describing the April 28, 2025, mass defection into the APC as “a turning point in the state’s political history.”
He added: “Today, I can confidently say that joining the APC was the right step in the right direction. The party is now stronger, more united and better positioned for victory in 2027.”
Okowa lauded Tinubu’s economic decisions as “bold and necessary,” charging leaders to enlighten their constituents on the long-term benefits of current reforms.
He also commended Oborevwori for uniting the party, saying his humility and inclusive leadership had strengthened Delta APC across all senatorial districts.
In his welcome address, APC State Chairman, Omeni Sobotie, said Oborevwori’s performance had made the party “formidable and unstoppable,” declaring that anyone planning to contest against him will meet a brick wall.
Chairmen of the party in Delta Central, Paulinus Akpeki; Delta North, Adizue Eluaka, and Delta South, Austin Oribioye, described April 28 as a defining date when “vision met action,” pledging total unity and focus on victory, stressing that APC was more united now to win all elections.
Representing the National Assembly, Senators Ede Dafinone, Senator Ned Nwoko, Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas and Nicholas Mutu declared that “there is no vacancy till 2031,” vowing to keep working in the interest of their constituents and the party.
Prominent leaders, including O’tega Emerhor (Delta Central), Peter Nwaoboshi (Delta North) and James Manager (Delta South) jointly said there was “no opposition to Oborevwori in 2027,” pledging massive votes for him and the President.
Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Emomotimi Guwor, pledged the full support of all Assembly members for Oborevwori and Tinubu.
ALGON representative and Bomadi Local Government Chairman, Dagidi Andaye, assured that all council chairmen were fully committed to the victory of the party in 2027.
On behalf of the Forum of Local Government party chairmen, Nobert Akachukwu lauded Oborevwori’s leadership, saying APC in Delta had been “renewed and re-energised for the M.O.R.E. Agenda.”
