WARRI/Nigeria: A foremost Ijaw leader and peace advocate, Comrade (Chief) Mulade Sheriff, PhD, has declared that the Ijaw ethnic nationality in Delta State will determine its political support ahead of the 2027 governorship election based on the level of project inclusion and funding for riverine communities in the 2026 state budget.
Dr. Mulade, who is the Ibe-Sorimowei of the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom and National Coordinator of the Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), made the declaration at a press briefing in Warri after an expanded stakeholders’ meeting held on behalf of the Delta Ijaw Ethnic Nationality.
He emphasized that the proposed endorsement of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori as the sole candidate of the Ijaw people would depend largely on the governor’s commitment to fair and adequate infrastructural development in the riverine areas of the state.
According to him, while Governor Oborevwori has recorded what he described as an “infrastructural revolution” in upland communities, the riverine and oil-bearing Ijaw and Itsekiri communities have not enjoyed similar attention despite their huge contributions to the state’s economy through oil and gas production.
“I want to sincerely appreciate His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for the infrastructural development across the state, particularly in the upland areas, and for the proposed commissioning of the reconstructed Odimodi-Ogulagha Road earlier built by SPDC in the 1980s. However, it is imperative to note that communities like Ogulagha, Torugbene, Oporoza, Akugbene, and Ojobo are more densely populated than some upland local government headquarters but have been deliberately deprived of development due to claims of terrain challenges,” Mulade stated.
He lamented that despite hosting multinational oil companies and contributing immensely to the state’s revenue base, the Ijaw communities have little or nothing to show in terms of tangible government projects.
The environmental rights advocate reminded the governor of the strong support the Ijaw nation gave him during the 2023 elections and stressed that the people are prepared to sustain that support in 2027, but only if their developmental needs are addressed.
“We, the Ijaws, have continued to promote peace and stability in the oil-producing areas, creating a conducive atmosphere for oil and gas production and supporting the state’s economic growth. It is time for the governor to reciprocate this gesture in the 2026 budget with tangible legacy projects for the Ijaw people,” he asserted.
Mulade urged Governor Oborevwori to prioritize critical infrastructural projects such as the Ayakoromo Bridge, Omadino-Okerenkoko-Kokodiagbene-Escravos Road, Aladja-Ogbe-Ijoh Road, and Ojobo-Torugbene Road, among others, which he described as lifelines for the Ijaw nation.
He also called for the establishment of a first-class health facility in Ogulagha Town to serve riverine communities and compensate the people for their immense economic contributions to the state.
On education, Mulade appealed to the governor to consider upgrading the moribund Delta State Maritime Polytechnic, Burutu, to a campus of Delta State University, Abraka, to promote maritime education and unlock blue economy opportunities for Deltans. He also urged the state government to establish a campus of Dennis Osadebe University, Asaba, in Koko to give a sense of belonging to the Itsekiri people, with a focus on agricultural development.
“The above-mentioned projects constitute the livewire of the Delta Ijaw nation and will ultimately determine where our votes go in 2027. If these projects are captured in the 2026 budget and executed, we can assure His Excellency of one hundred percent of Ijaw votes,” he said.
Mulade concluded by urging Governor Oborevwori to write his name in gold through equitable development and inclusion, noting that “the consideration of revolutionary projects for the riverine areas will give the people a renewed sense of belonging and confidence in his administration beyond the election season.”
