OLEH/Nigeria: The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State has set an ambitious target of securing more than two million votes for President Bola Tinubu and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori in the 2027 general elections, as the party commenced its statewide political mobilisation with rallies in Oleh and Ozoro.
The rallies, held on Thursday in Isoko South and Isoko North Local Government Areas respectively, brought together prominent APC leaders, elected representatives, former political officeholders and party supporters, who called for support for the party’s candidates at all levels.
Governor Oborevwori, addressing supporters at Oleh, Isoko South, said his decision to move to the APC followed consultations with political stakeholders and was informed by the need to align Delta State with the Federal Government for accelerated development.
He defended the decision, pointing to what he described as the benefits of President Tinubu’s economic reforms, particularly increased revenue allocations to state and local governments, which he said had enhanced their capacity to execute projects and meet financial obligations.
The governor also disclosed that 17,500 students from Delta State had benefited from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), encouraging other eligible students to take advantage of the scheme.
On security, Oborevwori announced that the State Executive Council had approved the construction of police divisional headquarters across the state’s 25 local government areas in anticipation of the proposed establishment of state police.
He also cited developments in infrastructure, education and healthcare as areas of progress under his administration.
The campaign mobilisation subsequently moved to Ozoro, headquarters of Isoko North Local Government Area, where the governor appealed to the Isoko people to support the APC, making a personal appeal on behalf of his wife, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, an indigene of the area.
His wife also addressed the gathering, urging the Isoko nation to support President Tinubu, her husband and other APC candidates in the forthcoming elections.
Describing the ballot as an important instrument of political participation, she told the audience: “Your vote is your voice, your strength and your weapon. Use it to vote for APC.”
Former Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, challenged party members to work towards delivering more than two million votes for Tinubu and Oborevwori, insisting that the party must also secure victory in other elective positions across the state.
Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, urged Deltans to sustain their support for the administration, citing what he described as significant progress in road infrastructure, education and healthcare.
The APC State Chairman, Chief Solomon Arenyeka, used the occasion to present party flags to candidates contesting various positions in Delta South Senatorial District and the Isoko constituencies.
He urged party members to take the mobilisation to their respective polling units and work towards securing victory for the candidates.
The Director-General of the Delta APC Campaign Council, Senator James Manager, acknowledged the economic difficulties confronting Nigerians but appealed for patience, expressing confidence that the Federal Government’s reform measures would produce improved outcomes.
Similarly, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, expressed satisfaction with the turnout at the rallies, which he compared to the atmosphere of a national campaign. He defended the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, saying they were intended to address the country’s challenges.
Other political leaders who canvassed support included the Isoko South Campaign Council Coordinator, Hon. Itiako Ikpokpo, and his Isoko North counterpart, Hon. Oviemuno Oghoore.
Member representing Burutu Federal Constituency, Hon. Julius Pondi, commended the governor’s commitment to youth appointments and empowerment, while his counterpart representing Ethiope Federal Constituency, Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, pledged the support of women for the party’s candidates.
Former Delta APC governorship candidate, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, alongside Chief Ovuozourie Macaulay and Ovie Umuakpor, also declared support for the party’s candidates.
On development priorities for Isoko, Chief Solomon Ogba drew attention to the proposed Federal Medical Centre in Oleh and the planned dualisation of the Oleh Roundabout-Iyede Road, describing the projects as important to the area’s development.
The flag presentation covered six candidates across the senatorial, federal and state legislative constituencies.
They included Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas for Delta South Senatorial District; Hon. Jonathan Ukodhiko for Isoko Federal Constituency; Hon. Lucky Idhove and Hon. Ferguson Onwo for Isoko South Constituencies I and II; and Engr. Orobosa Ashakah and Chief Frank Ozue for Isoko North Constituencies I and II, respectively.
The rallies mark the beginning of the APC’s mobilisation efforts across Delta State ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the party leadership seeking to consolidate its political structure and translate its growing mobilisation into electoral support.
