By Rita Mokobia.
ASABA/Nigeria: Director-General of the Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency, Patrick Ukah, has declared that Delta State is entering a new phase of political unity and accelerated development, insisting that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has emerged as the undisputed leader of a united All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Ukah made the declaration on Thursday after Governor Oborevwori’s affirmation at the APC governorship primary in Okpanam/Ugbolu Ward 9, Oshimili North Local Government Area, where he said the overwhelming turnout of party faithful signalled the party’s readiness for victory in 2027.
Speaking shortly after the exercise, Ukah said the governor had successfully united the APC family in Delta State.
“Before today, everybody had heard that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was going to be the sole candidate, but this morning in Ward 9, we have confirmed it. We have one governorship candidate because he has shown that APC is one family and will remain one family in Delta State,” he declared.
The former commissioner said the massive turnout and enthusiastic atmosphere at the venue reflected growing public confidence in the administration and the party.
“You can see that there is no other person here, and you can also see the turnout of the people today. They are over 4,000, and the excitement is everywhere in the air,” he said.
Ukah expressed optimism that the momentum generated during the primary would be sustained into the 2027 general elections.
“Our prayer is that God should keep all of us alive so that this same excitement will be carried into the main election next year,” he added.
Projecting confidence in Oborevwori’s re-election prospects, Ukah said ongoing infrastructure projects and strategic partnerships had already begun transforming communities across the state.
He noted that Ward 9 had benefitted significantly from projects executed under the state government.
“For Ward 9, we can see development in our environment. We have good roads and improved electricity. We are among the heaviest beneficiaries of the capital territory projects and we have continued to benefit,” he stated.
The DG argued that Delta State’s alignment with the Federal Government was already delivering infrastructural gains, citing ongoing projects such as the bypass road linking Isele-Azagba to the Second Niger Bridge and concrete pavement works around the old Niger Bridge corridor in Asaba.
“If we can achieve this much with only the state government in power before now, then with our connection to the centre, you can agree with me that there is going to be heavy change,” he said.
Ukah also highlighted reforms in the power sector, noting that partnerships with the private sector were helping to improve electricity supply.
“Now we are having partnerships with the private sector to bring light to the people. That is part of the new federal collaboration,” he explained.
On the economy, he maintained that the removal of fuel subsidy had expanded funds available for development projects, adding that contractors now received substantial mobilisation payments to accelerate project delivery.
“We are now doing jobs with 40 percent mobilisation and sometimes 25 percent mobilisation. Contractors no longer have to borrow heavily from banks before executing projects,” he said.
“There is less debt burden and government is not owing. These are signs of greater things that will happen in the future.”
In a show of solidarity, Ukah led supporters in chants endorsing key APC leaders ahead of the elections.
“Governor Sheriff Oborevwori carry go, Tinubu carry go, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa carry go, Ndudi Elumelu carry go, Innocent Esenwezie carry go. Delta State will become a better place for everyone,” he proclaimed.
Earlier, Returning Officer for the exercise, Victor Chukwudi Nsolo, announced that 4,469 voters were accredited, with Governor Oborevwori polling 4,467 votes to emerge winner of the primary.
“Having scored the highest number of votes, Elder Sheriff Oborevwori is hereby declared winner of today’s election,” Nsolo announced.
Also speaking, APC Chairman of Okpanam/Ugbolu Ward 9, Onyemali John Ogochukwu, described the exercise as peaceful and transparent.
“As the father of all, everything was free and fair,” he said while urging party members to support all APC candidates in the forthcoming elections.
