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Tag: Oborevwori

  • Delta-Five and Oborevwori’s education vision

    Delta-Five and Oborevwori’s education vision

    • By Ray Umukoro

    Call them President Bola Tinubu’s kids; then Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s children. You won’t be wrong. For in reality, that sums up the story of five young Deltans who left Nigeria as national champions to compete in Qatar and returned to the country as global champions. They brought honour and fame to Nigeria, to Delta State and to their respective schools and families.

    Take a bow:  Wisdom Chukwuma of Government College, Ughelli; Otorvo Uyoyou of Alegbo Secondary School, Effurun; Abraham Honour of Okpaka Secondary School, Okpaka; Ekhamateh Splendour of Government Model Secondary School, Asaba; and Alika Daniel of Utagba-Ogbe Grammar School, Kwale. They are all students of public schools in Delta.

    Ahead of their stellar performance in Qatar, they had emerged champions at the 2025 President’s National Basic Education Debate Championship, which earned them the ticket to represent Nigeria at the World Schools Debate Championship in Doha, Qatar.

    To emerge champions in the national President’s schools debate, they out-performed other young debaters from 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory. They showed oratory, lexical elegance, critical thinking, linguistic sophistry, stage craft, teamwork and typical Delta spirit of self-confidence and charisma. The Delta quintet showed no butterflies. They were assertive and compelling in their arguments, persuasive with a splash of eloquence. They were not fazed by the audience.

    They possessed every stage of the national competition, wowing the audience with raw intelligence, logicality and an uncanny ability to verbalise their thoughts at the speed of light. Besides, they evinced a firm grasp of contemporary issues in a manner that truly set them apart from their competitors.

    Read Also: Abavo people urge Oborevwori to fix road

    The Delta-Five simply owned the national debate championship. They made it their show with a dash of distinction. That was the badge of honour they took to the 2025 World Basic Schools Debate Championship held in Doha, Qatar. And they excelled against competition from United States of America and host nation, Qatar, debating on climate change, youth empowerment and responsible technology use.

    It was a triumph of ‘the spirit of Delta’ and a testament to the strategic investment in education by Oborevwori; an investment that spans teachers recruitment, capacity building, infrastructure addition and upgrade, welfare of education personnel across the value chain, all of which have created the conducive ergonomics for experiential learning.

    One common feature in Delta public education is funding. Oborevwori, himself a product of public-school system, believes that with the right tools, upskilled personnel, and good funding, Nigeria public schools can rival any in the world. He was the first governor to pay the 2025 counterpart funding for UBEC-ShUBEB projects. His unrelenting push for quality academic and technical education has manifested in more school enrolments, improved performance in external examinations and enhanced technical competencies among youths in the state. It is a template worthy of national implementation.

    A strong advocate of performance-based reward, the governor gifted each of the five students and their handlers with a goodly N20 million. Oborevwori is an ideal intentional leader whose predilection to welfare has been legendary all through his public life. He believes that governments at all levels must be people-centric. It was the same spirit of people-centred leadership that made him launch the Widows Welfare Scheme, which seeks to empower 10,000 widows through direct financial aid and access to free healthcare as well as the release of N10 billion to clear outstanding pension arrears owed to retirees in the state. This bucks the trend whereby retirees wait on end before receiving their deserved entitlements.

    Nigeria has had a poor sense of welfare for pensioners with hundreds dropping dead while waiting to be paid or while protesting non-payment of their pensions and gratuities. In a particular south-west state in 2015, 236 pensioners reportedly died in seven months as a result of the inability of the state government to pay their pension and gratuity, according to a Radio Nigeria report at that time. Even at the federal level, the issue of delayed payment and in some cases non-payment of pension has caused strains and deaths of retires in a manner that is not only shameful but affronts the fundamental rights of the retirees.

    There has been a toxic pattern of owing retirees across the country. But not so with Oborevwori. He believes that while governance focuses on building infrastructure across all spectrum of endeavour, the human element in society must never be neglected. He sees this as a duty, an undeniable obligation to humanity. And he has kept his word. So far, a total of N36.4 billion had been paid in pensions, and N1.4 billion is being released for payment of pensions monthly since he assumed office.

    “Our retirees are men and women who gave their best years in service to the state. It is only just that they receive what is duly owed to them, and under my watch, their welfare will remain top priority,” he said recently during a meeting with the state’s Pension Board.

    Leadership in emerging economies like Nigeria must be deliberate in visioning, and purposeful in implementation. This was the model of Lee Kuan Yew, the architect of modern Singapore. He was devoted to quality education of Singaporeans and the enthronement of merit over sundry mundane considerations. He enforced the learning of English language making Singaporeans bilingual and becoming globally competitive. This deliberateness in leadership led to the emergence of Singapore from the ruins of war into a frontline global economy.

    Indeed, success is neither an accident nor a happenstance. It comes from a premeditated visioning of a desired destination and calculated implementation of the critical processes that will lead to that destination. Oborevwori from the outset promised to deliver a MORE agenda of Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Realistic Reforms, and Enhanced Peace and Security. The rash of reforms he has wrought in the education sector alone underscores the competitive edge of Delta students both locally and globally. It is a rebirth of the good old days when Delta, even as a component of the defunct Bendel state, was the exemplar for youth development, academic and sporting excellence in the country.

    From law, medicine and engineering to liberal arts and social sciences, Delta colleges and universities have continued to excel in major competitions thus cementing the state’s position not only as a benchmark in education but also a model in youth development and upskilling for global competitiveness. This is not a by-product of ad hoc and episodic leadership. Such landmarks are achieved with conscious leadership, the type epitomised by Oborevwori.

    The fact that the fantastic Delta-Five are all students of public schools in the state speaks volumes of the governor’s determination to make Delta education sector the archetypal 21st century standard in the country.

    • Umukoro, a public policy analyst, writes from Warri
  • Delta APC chairmen score Oborevwori high on performance

    Delta APC chairmen score Oborevwori high on performance

    The chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 25 local government areas of Delta State have applauded Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for what they described as his outstanding performance in office.

    They stressed that his developmental strides and inclusive governance had continued to earn him the pride and respect of Deltans across party lines.

    Speaking to journalists on Friday after a meeting with the governor at Government House, Asaba, the APC Chairman of Aniocha South and coordinating chairman of party chairmen in Delta North, Mr. Norbert Sochukwudinma, said the visit was aimed at briefing the governor on developments across their various local government areas.

    Read Also: 2027 election: Southwest APC dismisses anti-Tinubu moves as distractions

    “We have come to see our father, our amiable governor, the leader of the party in the state, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori. Our meeting with him was fruitful, basically to give him feedback on the goings-on in our LGAs,” Sochukwudinma stated.

    According to him, the integration process of the party across the 25 LFAs has reached an advanced stage. 

    “In our various LGAs, things are going on very well. The integration is fully activated. As a matter of fact, we have crossed 80 percent, and within the next few days we should be running into 90 and 100 percent. All 25 APC local government chairmen were present at this meeting and no one was missing,” he said.

    On the strength of the opposition in Delta, Sochukwudinma maintained that the APC remained formidable, adding that no other party posed a real threat. 

    He stated, “With what we have today, there is no political party in Delta State that is serious or strong enough to challenge us.

    “But whether ADC or any other party, we are strong enough to beat them in a free, fair and credible election. There is no cause for alarm.”

    He praised Oborevwori for his commitment to infrastructural development, citing completed and ongoing multi-billion-naira projects being executed across the state by reputable contractors. 

    He added, “Governor Oborevwori has been a known performer. The projects across the state speak for themselves, and he is only getting better. 

    “Now that he is working directly and closely with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, things are even better than they were before. We are very proud of him, and Deltans are proud of him.”

  • Abavo people urge Oborevwori to fix road

    Abavo people urge Oborevwori to fix road

    Indigenes of Abavo Kingdom under the aegis of Awu Elites Club, have appealed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to rehabilitate the Agbor-Abavo-Abraka-Eku Road, following the adverse effect on the popular Abavo Market, the indigenes and other communities along the route.

    In a statement signed by the club’s President, Prince Frank Jegbefume, and Secretary-General, Emeke Oseki, the group urged the governor to intervene “to end the pains of our people and restore life to communities whose survival depends on this road.”

    Read Also: Oborevwori commiserates with APC national chair over mother’s demise

    Praising Oborevwori for his infrastructural projects across the state, particularly the recently awarded Uromi Junction flyover contract in Agbor, the club said rehabilitation of the Agbor-Abavo-Abraka-Eku Road should be prioritised.

  • Women Leaders in Delta South APC throw weight behind Tinubu, Oborevwori

    Women Leaders in Delta South APC throw weight behind Tinubu, Oborevwori

    Women leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta South Senatorial District have endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for the 2027 general elections.

    The endorsement was made during the Delta South APC Women/Stakeholders Unity Meeting held at Oleh,  Headquarters of Isoko South Local Government Area, and hosted by the Delta South Senatorial Woman Leader, Chief Onome Rita Ogagarojor.

    The motion for the vote of confidence on President Tinubu and Governor Oborevwori was moved by Hon. Joy Ejemudo, Leader of the Warri South Legislature, and seconded by Hon. Elohor Sim, Majority Leader of Isoko South Legislature.

    Read Also: FG tagets N24bn annual savings from BisonFly initiative

    The decision was affirmed through a voice vote conducted by Orode Meyiwa Uduaghan, the Honourable Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Community.

    Support Services and Girl Child Development, Delta State.

    Addressing the gathering, the convener,  Chief Onome Rita Ogagarojor, described the unity meeting as more than just a political assembly but a movement aimed at repositioning women for greater political participation.

    She recalled that Delta South is the only Senatorial District in the state to have produced a female senator, adding that the state itself has been blessed with illustrious First Ladies, noting that women have the capacity to achieve even more if they embrace unity.

    She said that; “We have the capacity to do more, and we will do more if we come together in unity. Since the dawn of our democracy, women from this district have shown that leadership is not beyond our reach. What we need now is solidarity to push the boundaries even further.”

    Ogagarojor, emphasized that the Renewed Hope for More Agenda must guide women in politics, urging them to choose collaboration over competition, celebrating  achievements of each other, resolve conflicts with maturity, and stand together against injustice. “Women divided are vulnerable, but women united are unstoppable” she said.

    Several speakers at the meeting also lent their voices in support of unity and greater political engagement for women.

    Mrs. Mimie Igbrude, a member of Delta State Local Government Service Commission, said it was time for women to take decisive action and work together, stressing: “Men are powerful, but women are influential. With our numerical strength, there is no reason for us to remain at the background.”

  • Oborevwori commiserates with APC national chair over mother’s demise

    Oborevwori commiserates with APC national chair over mother’s demise

    Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has commiserated with the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, over the death of his mother, Mama Lydia Yilwatda. 

    Oborevwori, who led a delegation to Yilwatda’s residence in Abuja, described her development as a “mixed feeling,” noting that while Nigerians recently celebrated the APC Chairman’s election, the joy was soon overshadowed by the loss of his beloved mother.

    Read Also: Oborevwori releases N10bn to clear backlog of pension in Delta

    The Governor, who was accompanied by members of the National Assembly from Delta State including Hon. Nicholas Mutu, Hon. Francis Waive, Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi, and Hon. Ngozi Okolie as well as his Senior Political Adviser, Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, noted that the late matriarch lived a fulfilled life, raising a family that has produced a professor, a minister, and now the National Chairman of the ruling party. 

    He stressed that her legacy of discipline, faith, and service would remain a source of pride to the family and the wider community.

    “We cannot question God. The Bible says there is a time to be born and a time to die. Mama has lived a very good life, and she has raised her family very well. Our prayers and thoughts are with our National Chairman and his family,” Oborevwori said.

  • Oborevwori releases N10bn to clear backlog of pension in Delta

    Oborevwori releases N10bn to clear backlog of pension in Delta

    Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has approved the immediate release of N10 billion to clear outstanding pension arrears owed to retirees in the state.

    The governor disclosed this on Tuesday during a meeting with the Pension Board, led by Sir Edwin Ogidi-Gbegbaje, Chairman of the Bureau of State Pensions, and Comrade Anthony Ozu Osanekwu, State Chairman of the Association of Contributory Retirees.

    Oborevwori said he convened the meeting to address pressing issues concerning the welfare of retirees, including payment of backlogs and migration challenges under the contributory pension scheme.

    Highlighting the strides of his administration, the Governor stated that a total of N36.4 billion had been paid in pensions, disclosing that N1.4 billion was released monthly for pension payments since he assumed office.

    He emphasised that the state had not defaulted in meeting its monthly pension obligations under his watch.

    However, Oborevwori noted that the arrears, which predated his administration, must be urgently tackled. “Our retirees are men and women who gave their best years in service to the state. It is only just that they receive what is due to them, and under my watch, their welfare will remain top priority,” he assured.

    To guarantee accountability, the Governor announced the constitution of an oversight team to supervise the implementation of the N10bn release, stressing that transparency would be strictly upheld.

    The gesture, he said, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to prioritising the welfare of senior citizens who had laboured in the service of Delta State.

    Read Also: Oborevwori flags off widows’ welfare scheme for 10,000 beneficiaries in Delta

    In his remarks, Chairman of the Bureau for State Pension, Sir Edwin Ogidi-Gbegbaje, described the Governor’s announcement as a “pleasant surprise,” assuring him that the N10bn release would serve as a huge relief to retirees.

    He further pledged that the funds would be used exclusively for pension payments, stressing that the system was programmed to ensure transparency and accountability.

    Fielding questions from journalists, the State Chairman of the Association of Contributory Retirees, Comrade Anthony Ozu Osanekwu, expressed appreciation to the Governor for what he described as an unexpected and magnanimous gesture.

    “You took us unawares; what we were expecting was far less than the N10bn you just approved,” Osanekwu said. “I am elated, and I know that when pensioners across the state hear this news, they will be very happy.”

  • Oborevwori flags off widows’ welfare scheme for 10,000 beneficiaries in Delta

    Oborevwori flags off widows’ welfare scheme for 10,000 beneficiaries in Delta

    …beneficiaries to enjoy free healthcare services

    Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has officially launched the Widows Welfare Scheme, a pivotal programme aimed at providing financial and healthcare support to 10,000 widows across the state.

    This initiative was flagged off during a ceremony at the Events Centre in Asaba on Monday.

    The scheme is part of Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda, which focuses on uplifting vulnerable groups and ensuring inclusive governance in the state.

    The scheme aims to address the unique challenges faced by widows, offering them essential resources to improve their quality of life.

    The launch of this welfare initiative is seen as a significant step towards enhancing social welfare and support systems for vulnerable members of the community.

    The initiative is expected to foster empowerment and resilience among the beneficiaries, contributing to their overall well-being.

    Speaking at the event, Oborevwori recalled his long-standing commitment to the welfare of widows both in his private life and public service.

    He described widowhood as a painful circumstance that is never a choice, stressing that widows often face neglect and severe survival challenges after the loss of their breadwinners.

    Read Also: Oborevwori felicitates Delta APC chairman on birth anniversary

    “Being a widow is not by choice, and it will never be anyone’s choice. Beyond the pain of losing a loved one, widows are left with the burden of survival. That is why this administration is determined to improve their living conditions and give them hope,” the Governor said.

    He explained that the scheme directly supports the second pillar of his administration’s MORE Agenda – Opportunities for All, and is a fulfilment of his campaign promise to run an inclusive government that carries everyone along, especially the poor and vulnerable.

    Under the scheme, each widow will receive a monthly stipend of N15,000 to be paid directly into their bank account.

    The Governor emphasised that payments would commence immediately, with beneficiaries receiving their first stipend of N45,000 covering three months in arrears.

    In addition to the cash support, all beneficiaries are being enrolled into the Delta State Contributory Health Insurance Scheme, which guarantees them free access to healthcare services at accredited hospitals and primary health centres across their localities.

    “This health insurance is even more important than the stipends because it ensures that no widow is denied medical care due to lack of funds,” Oborevwori held.

    The Governor clarified that the Widows Welfare Scheme is entirely non-political, cutting across all religious and ethnic divides in Delta, adding that the beneficiaries were carefully selected through a transparent and community-driven process covering the 270 federal wards of the state, involving community leaders, traditional rulers, and civil society groups to verify claims of widowhood.

    According to him, the delay in the flag-off was to ensure that only genuine widows are enrolled, while excluding those already employed or earning civil service salaries, so that the benefits go strictly to those most in need, especially the aged and physically challenged.

    Since the inception of the administration, over 266,000 people have been empowered through social investment programmes such as women empowerment and skill acquisition schemes, youth initiatives, MORE grant projects, and business support programmes.

    The Governor assured them that more interventions, including job creation and empowerment schemes for women and youths, will be rolled out soon.

    Oborevwori said, “As we build roads, bridges, and infrastructure, we must also invest in the welfare of our people. True governance is not just about physical projects but about touching lives and giving hope”.

    Executive Assistant to the Governor on Social Investment Programmes, Elder Isioma Okonta, who coordinated the scheme, described it as a historic milestone in Delta’s social investment journey.

    He said the initiative demonstrates the Governor’s compassion and his resolve to make the government “a father to widows and a pillar of support for the poor.”

    Okonta praised the First Lady, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, for her consistent advocacy for widows, calling her “a shining example of compassion.”

    Some beneficiaries, including Christiana Akaluzia, Elizabeth Mukoro, and Mercy Ololo, expressed profound gratitude to the Governor for not only providing them with stipends but also granting them access to free healthcare in their communities.

    With the flag-off of the Widows Welfare Scheme, Delta State has once again positioned itself as a pacesetter in pro-people governance, setting a benchmark for inclusive and compassionate leadership in Nigeria.

  • Group rallies support for Oborevwori’s second term

    Group rallies support for Oborevwori’s second term

    A political support group under the aegis of *Deltans Want More* has declared that the 2027 governorship campaign against Delta Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, would amount to a waste of time, money, and resources, given his sterling performance since assuming office.

    Speaking in Jeremi Ughelli South Local Government Area, while addressing members and other party faithfuls cut across various communities, the Convener of the group, Olorogun Ese Kakor, urged Deltans across party lines to unite behind the Governor to enable him consolidate on his MORE Agenda and deliver even greater dividends of democracy to the people.

    According to him: “Deltans have never had it this good. From massive infrastructural projects to reforms in education, health, and security, the Governor’s achievements in just two years are already campaigning for him. Anyone nursing the ambition for 2027 should wait until 2031.”

    Olorogun Kakor listed some of Oborevwori’s key achievements as I”nfrastructure: Completion and flag-off of multiple road dualisation projects across Asaba, Warri, Effurun, Ughelli, and other towns, alongside bridges and drainage systems to tackle flooding.

    “Education: Renovation of schools, provision of learning materials, and the take-off of new technical colleges to boost skills acquisition for youths.

    “Welfare: Prompt and regular payment of salaries and pensions, even amid national economic challenges.

    “Health & Security: Upgrading of health facilities across the state and strengthening of local security networks, which have restored peace to several crisis-prone communities.

    Read Also: Oborevwori to flag off widows’ welfare scheme for10,000 beneficiaries

    “Just today, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has flagged off the Delta State Widows Welfare Scheme, benefiting 10,000 widows across the state. 

    “The scheme includes monthly pay, registration of the beneficiaries into the Delta State Contributory Health Scheme (DSCHS) for free medical treatment in their localities. 

    “This initiative is part of the governor’s commitment to improving the welfare of widows in Delta State through financial support and empowerment packages.

    “Empowerment: Rollout of job creation and youth empowerment schemes under the MORE Agenda to cushion the effect of the economy and engage thousands of young Deltans productively.”

    “Governor Oborevwori’s “street credibility and grassroots connection” have been instrumental in resolving communal disputes that previously threatened peace and development in the state.

    “Sheriff Oborevwori is not just governing; he is transforming Delta. His achievements are clear, his impact is felt, and his leadership is people-centered. Every true lover of Delta State should stand behind him,” Kakor declared.

    The group maintained that the Governor’s steady delivery of his Renewed Hope for MORE Agenda was a proof that Delta State was on the path of sustainable growth, and deserved continuity beyond 2027.

  • Group hails Oborevwori on south-south governor of the year award

    Group hails Oborevwori on south-south governor of the year award

    A leading political support group, Ndokwa Forward for Tinubu, Sheriff/Onyeme, has congratulated Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, on being named the South-South Governor of the Year at the Progressive Digital Media Summit and Awards held in Abuja.

    In a statement issued Thursday by its leader, Hon. Sam Osassa, the group described the award as a well-deserved recognition of Governor Oborevwori’s commitment to transformational leadership, excellence, and progressive governance over the past two years.

    Read Also: Oborevwori’s two years of developing human capital in Delta

    The group applauded the Governor’s policies and projects, noting that they have brought about visible development across the state. According to them, the award reflects Oborevwori’s growing profile as a people-centered and results-driven leader.

    “Governor Oborevwori’s visionary leadership and dedication to progress have made a meaningful impact on the lives of Deltans. This honour only confirms what many already know—that Delta State is moving in the right direction under his leadership,” the statement read.

    Reiterating their unwavering support for the administration, Ndokwa Forward expressed confidence in the Governor’s ability to sustain the pace of development and deliver greater prosperity for the state.

    “We are proud to stand with him and celebrate this well-earned accolade,” the group affirmed.

  • 2027: Ogboru’s political journey and rumours of playing Oborevwori’s script

    2027: Ogboru’s political journey and rumours of playing Oborevwori’s script

    • By Jeckins Ejiro Wisike

    Ordinarily, it is expected that every adult citizen of Delta State should think rationally and objectively to be discerning enough to separate truth from falsehood. I  wouldn’t have responded to such petty, myopic political gossip; however, it became necessary to address the false speculations that Chief Great Ogboru moved to APC and later to ADC, acting Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s script.

      These unfounded and fabricated rumours are nothing but blatant lies from the pit of hell, cooked by some disgruntled and unscrupulous elements with the intent to malign the integrity and legacy of Chief Great Ogboru. The claim that he is working for Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s re-election against Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege is not only baseless, mischievous, but a calculated attempt to pull him down to mislead the public.

     It will be necessary to ask the following questions about how any reasonable and supposed adult would decide to spread fabricated stories to tarnish the image of a high-profile personality like Chief Great Ogboru for the purpose of the 2027 elections. And also disbelieving for a supposed enlightened person(s) to accept every rumour trending on social media without critical analysis, mostly when there is no evidence to support such damaging claims.

     People like us, who have been with him for the past 24 years, have followed and been abreast with his political journey in Delta State, and can testify without mincing words that Chief Great Ogboru has, to date, been enjoying the overwhelming support of all Deltans in all his governorship races. And such a highly profiled personality couldn’t be referred to as playing the script of who? Gov. Oborevwori? A successful international businessman whose financial history is known and documented by institutions such as CBN, EFCC and Nigerian Ports Authority.

     A man who became a millionaire at 25 and a multimillionaire in dollars by 28 through his fisheries investment, spanning over 42 years across African countries. To say such a man is taking political directives from anyone is not only laughable but deeply disrespectful. In 2003, when Chief Great Ogboru contested the governorship under Alliance for Democracy (AD), people called it a “Yoruba party” that Urhobos shouldn’t associate with it. Today, many of those same people are in the APC, which grew out of that very party.

     In 2007, when he moved to the DPP, the same people mocked the party for having no national presence. Yet, someone became a senator, and another became a House of Representatives member, while about 11 people became Delta State House of Assembly members through that same party, only to later destroy it because they didn’t want Chief Ogboru to become governor.

     In 2013–2014, during the APC merger process, Chief Ogboru, leading the DPP, pulled out due to the manipulations of these same individuals, who rejected the agreed formula that would have given DPP fair representation in the new APC structure in Delta State. In 2015, he joined the Labour Party, and these same critics again tried to ridicule him. Yet under him, the party produced a Senator and two members of the Delta State House of Assembly, and many became beneficiaries.

     For years, these same individuals have accused Chief Ogboru of refusing to associate with the political class. Now, after one election in which he didn’t go to court, they went on to spread a false story that he’s now “holding brief” for Governor Oborevwori. Height of hypocrisy. Let me clarify one thing: Chief Ogboru’s son, Michael Ogboru, who was appointed by Gov. Oborevwori, accepted the role merely as a sign of respect, not because Chief Ogboru is politically aligned with the Governor.

     In fact, Michael ceased participating in that administration as far back as September 2023. As for other appointees allegedly loyal to Chief Ogboru, many of them do not even know the road to the Government House in Asaba, nor can the Governor identify them. Chief Ogboru maintains relationships with several politicians across party lines, including Chief James Ibori, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, Dr Arthur Okowa, Chief Ighoyota Amori, and Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege and others, not because of political alignment, but because he believes in the politics of sportsmanship, and not bitterness.

     Chief Ogboru remains committed to the vision of transforming Delta State and continues to pursue his political aspirations, guided by his enduring principles and love for the people. And yet, he was never a contractor to any tier of government in Nigeria. He has never done, and is not doing, any direct or indirect contract with any government at the federal, state, or local level.

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     It could be recalled that in 2002, Chief Great Ogboru formed the South-South Rainbow Coalition (SSRC), a political pressure group, alongside other prominent Nigerians. He later used this platform to lead his followers into the Alliance for Democracy (AD), where he emerged as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2003 election, against the then-incumbent Governor, Chief James Ibori of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

     During the campaign, Chief Ogboru and his supporters faced intense political persecution. The state government and the PDP used all their powers to intimidate his supporters, denied him access to public campaign venues, and restricted his appearances on government-controlled media. His only option was to campaign physically from town to town.

     Despite these challenges, Chief Ogboru won the popular vote in the 2003 election. However, the results were manipulated in favour of the PDP. As a law-abiding citizen, he filed a petition at the Governorship Election Tribunal to challenge the outcome, pursuing the case up to the Court of Appeal. Unfortunately, the legal process was deliberately delayed through numerous adjournments throughout Chief James Ibori’s four-year tenure, and the petition was eventually dismissed without a proper hearing.

     During this time, the PDP-led government in Delta State further sought to weaken Ogboru by targeting his businesses to diminish both his political and financial strength. The 2003 elections were marred by irregularities: ballot boxes were snatched and pre-filled in private residences of PDP members, often in the presence of complicit law enforcement officers. These events seriously undermined democratic principles and deeply affected him, his followers, but yet, Chief Ogboru remained undeterred.

    2007 election and the betrayal of Urhobo interests

     In 2007, Chief Ogboru contested the governorship under the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), running against Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan of the PDP, an Itsekiri man alleged to be maternally related to Chief James Ibori.

     During the voter registration exercise for the 2007 general election and 2011 general election, many Urhobo politicians within the PDP collected political incentives and mobilisation fees to register politically unaware sons and daughters of Urhobo kingdoms in riverine Ijaw and Itsekiri communities as voters. This was done to artificially inflate the voting population in those areas, strategically disadvantaging Chief Ogboru.

     Sadly, they did not foresee the long-term consequences. In trying to win the election for the PDP, they inadvertently empowered the riverine communities politically, weakening Urhobo influence. Today, many Urhobo politicians, despite being in power, have become politically irrelevant and now depend on the Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Ika people for political and financial support. A tragic irony.

     The 2007 election was widely condemned as flawed. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not conduct a proper election but instead wrote fictitious results in favour of the PDP. In response, Chief Ogboru filed a petition, which was initially dismissed, but the Court of Appeal in Benin overturned the decision on October 4, 2010. The court ruled that the 2007 election was invalid and ordered a rerun, which took place on January 6, 2011.

     Even in the rerun, the manipulation persisted. INEC reused the same fraudulently accredited registered voter list, filled with fictitious names from the riverine communities—individuals originally mobilized by PDP Urhobos to defeat Chief Ogboru.

     Ogboru’s true victories and INEC’s alleged manipulations

     In the 2007 general election, the 2011 rerun, and the 2011 general election, Chief Ogboru was widely regarded as the actual winner, based on genuine votes. However, INEC declared manipulated results, relying on inflated figures from riverine LGAs such as Warri North, Warri South-West, Burutu, and Patani. Shockingly, many Urhobo PDP leaders continued to betray their own people, enabling this injustice.

     This conspiracy against the Urhobo nation, under the guise of opposition to Chief Ogboru, has left a painful legacy. Once-proud Urhobo leaders now look up to their riverine counterparts as political and financial patrons. What a reversal of fortune.

    2015 and 2019 elections: Repeating the pattern

     In the 2015 and 2019 general elections, Ogboru contested again, this time against Senator Dr. Arthur Okowa, an Ika man. These elections were also manipulated, with results arbitrarily written in PDP’s favour. In both instances, PDP’s votes even exceeded the total number of accredited voters in the whole state, which was clearly a violation of the Electoral Act.

     Fictitious votes were generated from sparsely populated rural communities in Delta North and the riverine Delta South. This manipulation stemmed from the same voter registration fraud that began in 2007 to 2011, wherein Urhobo voters were registered in riverine areas to favour the PDP. As a result, the true population strength of urban Delta Central was politically diluted. Ogboru challenged these outcomes up to the Supreme Court, citing widespread irregularities and fictitious votes.

    Legal battles and judicial injustice

    Chief Ogboru has filed more election petitions than any other Nigerian, including those in 2003, 2007, 2011 (rerun and general), 2015, and 2019, except for the 2023 election, which he didn’t contest due to advice from close allies, given past experiences.

    Key facts about his legal struggles include:

     1. In 2007, the Delta State Government, in collusion with the Nigeria Police, unlawfully declared Chief Ogboru wanted with a ₦25 million bounty, with so much harassment and intimidation on his political followers, just to prevent him from filing a petition against the PDP and INEC. 2. His 2003 petition against Ibori lasted 46 months, while the case against Uduaghan dragged on for over three years.

    3. The Supreme Court, due to Ogboru’s persistence, recommended time limits for election petition cases, leading to the current legal framework. 4. Ironically, Chief Ogboru became the first victim of this statute of limitations in 2011 when the Court of Appeal failed to deliver judgment within the required 60 days, as prescribed by Section 285(7) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, through no fault of his own.

     Yet, the Supreme Court refused to hear the case based on this technicality, despite his request to nullify just 11,000 fraudulent votes from riverine areas like Koko town. 5. His lawyer, Dr. Dickson Osuala, was fined ₦8 million for asking the Supreme Court to reverse its decision, a punishment that shocked many in the legal community.

     6. During the 2015 and 2019 tribunals, INEC’s lawyers argued that INEC guidelines had no legal force, meaning the use of card readers (a fraud-prevention tool) was “unknown to law.” This rationale was used to validate questionable votes, and the Supreme Court upheld this position.

     Legacy of integrity and perseverance

     Unfortunately, some individuals continue to spread lies against Chief Great Ogboru, an innocent man who has relentlessly pursued justice. He is the only Nigerian to have contributed so significantly to the development of Nigeria’s electoral jurisprudence through legal action.

     Chief Great Ogboru, affectionately called The People’s General, has proven himself a man of peace, due process, integrity, and modesty. His political journey, though fraught with betrayals and injustice, remains a symbol of unwavering courage in the face of systemic oppression.

     Those peddling falsehoods against him should desist and instead focus on real political issues, such as the development of Delta State, not the selfish “politics of stomach infrastructure” that now dominates Nigerian politics.