By Eseoghene Emuke
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State and convener of Delta Political Agenda (DPA), Dr. Tareri Avwomakpa, has called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to jettison plans and lobbies for him to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Avwomakpa, a lawyer and former PDP aspirant for the State House of Assembly, assured Governor Oborevwori that Deltans irrespective of political parties would re-elect him and President Bola Tinubu in the forthcoming elections.
He stated this in a press statement while reacting to recent calls by the members representing Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. (Rev.) Francis Waive and some other APC leaders, urging the party leadership to adopt Oborevwori as its sole candidate in 2027.
Avwomakpa, who is also the President of Urhobo Christian Ministers Association, Youth Wing, commended Waive and others for recognising Governor Oborevwori’s tremendous strides in the development of the state since assuming office.
He, however, faulted calls urging Oborevwori to dump PDP for the opposition APC, stressing that the governor will win massively in the forthcoming polls as Deltans have resolved to reward him for the massive development he has embarked upon since 2023.
According to him, Delta PDP and indeed all Deltans, will support the re-election bid of President Tinubu, and called on APC faithful to equally support Governor Oborevwori for second term.
“I commend my leader, Hon. Francis Waive of the House of Representatives who was reported recently to have publicly endorsed Governor Sherrif Oborevwori and also called on the APC in Delta State to adopt the Governor as its candidate in the 2027 governorship election.
“The lawmaker was also reported to have said that our Governor would soon decamp to the APC to achieve his reelection bid. The Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, who is of the PDP, was also reported to have commended Hon. Waive for his remarks while also urging the APC to put aside partisan interest and consider the best interest of Delta State.
“The public endorsement by Hon. Waive goes to show that all well-meaning Deltans are thrilled by the good works of Governor Sherrif Oborevwori and it takes a leader who is sincere to make such open endorsement as Hon. Waive has done.
“However, other leaders of the APC in Delta State have attacked Hon Waive and also accused our Governor of fraternising with President Bola Tinubu and the APC in Abuja.
“While we commend the courage by Hon. Francis Waive, we are of the view that our governor should not accept the call to decamp to the APC to contest for second tenure in 2027. The Governor can use his powers to clear the ways for himself while at the same time working across party lines for 2027”, Avwomakpa noted.
He posited that one of the lessons from the last general election, which he claimed, would repeat itself in 2027 is the fact that Nigerians will not vote along party lines, but along competence, performance and ability to unite the people.
“One lesson we can learn from 2023 election which is useful in 2027 election is that the people will not vote on party lines. Opinion polls show that people will vote for Sheriff as Governor to continue and finish his multiple projects in Delta State.
“For presidency, the people will vote Bola Tinubu to complete his 8 years because it is the turn of the south to rule after the 8 years of President Buhari’s. All that President Bola Tinubu wants from Delta State in 2027 is Delta State’s votes. Let no APC leader in Delta State intimidate Governor Sherrif with delivering Delta State for the President in 2027.
“Urhobo APC politicians should stop distracting and intimidating Governor Oborevwori with delivering Delta to Bola Tinubu in 2027. Let Governor Oborevwori meet with President Bola Tinubu and give him our assurances. Wike of Rivers State PDP delivered the state to Tinubu in 2023 and this made Tinubu the President of Nigeria. This has been the game of northern politicians.
“In 2015 the Vice President to President Goodluck Jonathan, Alhaji Namadi Sambo delivered his own state (Kaduna) to his northern brother, Mr. Muhamadu Buhari of the APC. On 8th June, 2022 northern APC Governors visited Atiku and pledged their support for him towards the 2023 presidential election.
“In 2027, it is Sheriff as Governor and Tinubu as President. This is Delta Political Agenda. It’s high time we opened our eyes from the blindness of ‘Party supreme’”, the Delta PDP chieftain added.
Avwomakpa added, “The masses are ready to vote Governor Sherrif Oborevwori for a second tenure because of the monumental development he has brought to Delta State. The multiple flyover bridges being constructed by Julius Berger and the execution of the MORE Agenda speak for themselves. It is better to dwell in an organised house than a house in disagreement.
“For almost a decade now the APC in Delta State has remained a party in crises with unresolved power tussle among Great Ogboru, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, Eng. Victor Ochei, Chief Emerhor, Festus Keyamo SAN, Chief Ayiri Emami, Stella Okotete, etc. Unlike the APC, the PDP has maintained an organised and established structure in Delta State from the state chapter of the party to the village chapter.
“The APC does not have any counselor or Local Government Chairman in Delta State. The APC is a bed of strange bed fellows. This was what worked against the Deputy Senate President in 2023. It is a suicide mission. Your Excellency , my Governor, I beg, no go there o!”
