…As APC flags off campaign in Oleh, urge Deltans to deliver massive votes
GOVERNOR Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State and his predecessor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, have challenged Deltans to deliver at least two million votes for President Bola Tinubu and other candidates of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2027 general elections.
The duo spoke at the APC campaign flag-off in Oleh, headquarters of Isoko South Local Government Area, where they called for massive grassroots mobilisation, insisting that the party must translate its growing political strength in the state into overwhelming electoral victory.
Governor Oborevwori, is seeking re-election alongside his deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, said his administration’s decision to join the APC in April last year was taken after extensive consultations with political stakeholders and religious leaders across the state.
He described President Tinubu as a bold and courageous leader whose economic reforms were beginning to strengthen the financial capacity of federal, state and local governments.
The governor said the increased revenue accruing to the three tiers of government had enabled his administration to pay contractors, execute new projects and improve service delivery without accumulating outstanding debts to contractors.
According to him, the improved revenue profile of the country under Tinubu has translated into increased allocations to states and local governments, providing governments at the sub-national level with greater capacity to deliver democratic dividends.
Oborevwori, who commended the President for introducing the new minimum wage and granting financial autonomy to local government councils, said the reforms had strengthened grassroots development.
He disclosed that about 500 councillors across Delta State had embarked on various empowerment programmes, attributing the development to improved financial resources available to local governments.
On education, the governor revealed that 17,500 Delta students had benefited from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, scheme, urging more eligible students to take advantage of the initiative.
He said the state had about 104,000 students across its four universities and other tertiary institutions, adding that increased access to the student loan scheme would ease the financial burden of higher education on families.
The governor also disclosed that Delta State’s internally generated revenue had risen to N58.81 billion from N35.09 billion, describing the development as a significant improvement in the state’s financial position.
On security, Oborevwori said his administration supported the establishment of state police and had forwarded its resolution to the National Assembly.
He added that the State Executive Council had approved the construction of eight state police quarters in each local government area, pending implementation.
Turning to his administration’s performance, the governor said the MORE Agenda, which stands for Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Realistic Reforms and Enhanced Peace and Security, had recorded significant achievements in road infrastructure, education, healthcare and human capital development.
He promised that the agenda would be expanded to MORE Plus if re-elected in 2027.
Oborevwori urged Deltans to vote for Tinubu and APC candidates in the National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, while the governorship and State House of Assembly elections would hold on February 6.
He, however, stressed that the immediate priority was to secure victory for the President and the party’s National Assembly candidates.
“We are not going to deliver just 500 votes. We are talking about 500,000 or 600,000 votes. With the numbers we have, and with unity and cooperation, we should aim for more than one million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
In his remarks, former Governor Okowa urged APC members and supporters to move beyond political rallies and celebrations to undertake aggressive grassroots mobilisation, declaring that the party must demonstrate its strength through the number of votes delivered.
Okowa said Delta’s decision to join the APC had brought additional political strength to the party, but insisted that the real test would be the ability of members to convert that strength into massive electoral support.
He said the state should not be satisfied with 500,000 or 700,000 votes, insisting that anything below one million votes would fall short of expectations.
“We are not here merely to talk about winning elections. We are here to talk about delivering the kind of votes that will demonstrate the strength we have brought into the APC.
“If we deliver 500,000 votes, we have not won. If we deliver 700,000 votes, we have still not won. Until we cross the one-million-vote mark, we have not started,” the former governor declared.
Okowa urged party faithful, particularly women and youths, to embark on door-to-door campaigns across villages, communities, wards and polling units, stressing that no segment of the electorate should be taken for granted.
He advised APC supporters to reach out to members of opposition parties, persuade them and bring them into the party’s fold rather than assuming that the election had already been won.
“The votes Delta delivers will determine the state’s bargaining power and influence at the national level, particularly in the allocation of political appointments and other benefits.
“Our massive electoral support for Tinubu would give Delta representatives in the National Assembly a stronger voice and enable the state to negotiate more effectively for federal appointments and development projects.
“We want to go to Abuja with dignity and pride. We want a situation where, when other states are given one ministerial position, Delta State can confidently demand three.
“That is the kind of political strength we desire. We want two or three ministerial positions for Delta State. That is what massive votes can help us achieve,” Okowa said.
The former governor also defended Tinubu’s economic and security reforms, saying the President was working to rebuild the country’s weakened economic foundation and prevent Nigeria from collapsing.
He urged Deltans not to be intimidated or discouraged from openly supporting the President, insisting that the administration deserved encouragement to consolidate its reforms.
Okowa further commended Oborevwori’s administration, saying the state was making progress in governance, while expressing confidence that the governor would secure re-election in 2027.
He, however, warned that electoral victory without impressive votes would not adequately reflect the political strength of Delta State.
The former governor called on party members to ensure that Delta outperformed every other state in the South-South in votes delivered to the APC, setting a target of two million votes for the state.
“Until the results are declared and we hear that Delta State has delivered two million votes, our work is not finished.
“Two million votes for Delta State! It is possible,” he declared.
He urged party supporters to return to their communities and begin sustained mobilisation, stressing that the time for political celebrations was over and that serious grassroots work must commence immediately.
Both leaders expressed confidence that unity, cooperation and sustained mobilisation would position the APC for a decisive victory in Delta State in the 2027 general elections.
Earlier, State Chairman of the APC, Chief Solomon Arenyeka enjoined APC members to guide and protect their votes on election day.
” If anybody wants to fight you, do not fight back. Instead, find a peaceful way to ensure that your vote is protected and counted. We do not want to wound anybody, slap anybody or create trouble with anyone. We only want to ensure that our votes are protected and duly cast.
“I also want everyone to remember that elections start at the polling unit and everybody must ensure that they take responsibility for their respective polling units and mobilise their supporters.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of APac flags to senatorial, House of Reps and House of Assembly candidates
