ASABA/Nigeria: Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads and Public Information), Charles Aniagwu, says Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s campaign for a second term in 2027 will be built around the projects and programmes delivered by his administration rather than attacks on political opponents.
Aniagwu made the position known on Sunday during an appearance on Arise News’ The Morning Show, while responding to allegations made by former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, against the governor.
The commissioner argued that Omo-Agege, who is seeking to return to the Senate to represent Delta Central Senatorial District, should concentrate on presenting his programme to voters instead of making allegations against Oborevwori, who is seeking re-election as governor.
According to Aniagwu, the two politicians are pursuing different elective positions and will consequently not be competing for the same seat in the 2027 election.
He questioned the basis for making the governor the focus of a senatorial campaign, saying such an approach could suggest an absence of a sufficiently compelling message for voters in Delta Central.
“What we have observed is that a number of these persons, particularly Senator Omo-Agege, don’t seem to have anything to campaign against Governor Oborevwori,” Aniagwu said.
He also rejected allegations that Oborevwori had threatened Omo-Agege, insisting that such conduct was inconsistent with the governor’s character and the atmosphere the administration had sought to maintain in the state.
“That is not the kind of governor we have. Our governor does not go into making threats,” he said, adding that the administration had maintained what he described as tranquillity, safety and security across Delta.
Aniagwu further suggested that Omo-Agege’s repeated references to the governor were helping to keep his political activities in the news.
“He knows that if he didn’t go that route, you may not remember to mention his name,” the commissioner said.
He maintained, however, that the Oborevwori administration would not allow political exchanges to divert it from its development agenda.
Instead, he said, the governor’s campaign would be based on what the administration had accomplished since taking office, with projects across the state serving as evidence of its performance.
“Our campaign ahead of the 2027 general elections is going to be evidence-based. We will be showcasing what we have done, what constitutes our report card. If you like, call it milestones,” Aniagwu said.
He cited the ongoing Emevor-Orogun Road as one of the projects the government would point to in demonstrating its development record.
Aniagwu said the 15.7-kilometre road was being constructed in phases and linked rural communities, adding that more than eight kilometres had been completed under the first two phases while work was continuing on the third phase.
The commissioner said the project was significant because it extended development infrastructure into communities associated with Omo-Agege, arguing that the government’s choice of projects was not determined by the political affiliation of residents or community leaders.
“As we speak, we are constructing a road that is heading to Omo-Agege’s community in Orogun, starting from a place called Emevor-Orogun. It is a 15.7-kilometre stretch,” he said.
Aniagwu said the government’s approach was to pursue projects capable of improving the lives of residents across the state, irrespective of their political loyalties.
“The governor is not looking at whether the man is speaking German or speaking Japanese. The governor is interested in the development that will touch his people,” he said.
He said the administration would therefore continue to focus on infrastructure and other development programmes while leaving its record in office to form the basis of its appeal to voters as the 2027 elections approach.
