2027: With Ibori, Omo-Agege in, Oborevwori Set to Go

By Felix Ofou

It was long in coming. Elections were over and a clear winner had emerged. The losers were left to pick up their boots by the straps, stand like gallant soldiers and congratulate the winner. Instead doubts about the elections and outcomes persisted.

Two gladiators, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, former Governor of Delta State and Head of the political dynasty that had held sway since 1999 and one of his political scions, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, immediate past Deputy Senate President, DSP, seemingly stood on the sidelines.

So many followed in their footsteps, especially in Delta Central Senatorial District where they come from, with some maintaining stoic resistance to the leadership and monumental achievements of the winner of that election. Their conduct sharply divided the state.

But, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, who outrightly won the gubernatorial race and assumed office as Governor on May 29, 2023 was unperturbed by the lingering doubts in certain quarters about his victory and capability to do the job. He hit the ground running from day one.

The Governor’s landmark projects all over the state, particularly in Delta Central Senatorial District, soon began to wear off the doubts about his competence and ability to do the job. His undeniable humility and transparent leadership style soon began to win over the doubting Thomases.

Oborevwori, in one of the outings with APC stakeholders gave an accurate recipe of how to win leaders over. “You must recognize them, give them respect and make them relevant,” he admonished his audience. He warned against talking down at leaders and seeking to shove them aside.

Apparently, the Governor was a disciple of his own gospel. He learned to focus on doing the job and rejected the temptation of being drawn into needless controversies. He also acknowledged the role played by previous leaders and sought endlessly to continue from where they stopped in dispensing the dividends of democracy. His respect for elders remains undisputed.

Oborevwori has acquitted himself as a humble, prudent and pragmatic administrator. His governance style has been impactful and can be felt in the nooks and crannies of Delta State. The fact that he has refused to borrow, that he has almost wiped out outstanding debts from previous governments, while embarking and commissioning landmark legacy projects, have endeared him to all and sundry.

It was therefore not surprising that Ibori and Omo-Agege have joined in the long list of leaders who have acknowledged the Governor’s leadership and applauded his achievements with wide aplomb. These two political gladiators, until recently, were perceived as last frontiers in the resistance to Oborevwori’s government.

But, all the doubts were put to rest when both men spoke recently about their kinsman, who holds sway today as the incumbent Governor of Delta State. Although their words were short, they were enough to disprove naysayers that they were against Oborevwori’s leadership or his achievements as Governor.

First to bare his mind was Omo-Agege. The former DSP, who had hitherto been rumoured to be against the Governor as leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, openly declared at a recent event in Warri, the oil city, that Oborevwori is the undisputed leader of the party in the state. It was a rude shock to some of the DSP’s supporters who thought that their principal was the leader of APC in Delta.

Of course, the Governor, who was also present at the same event, quickly told the audience that there was no rift between him and Omo-Agege. “Many of you don’t know that we talk from time to time. He is my brother and there’s no problem between us” he declared to the constellation of the audience.

But, it was the endorsement of Oborevwori by Ibori that sent shock waves across the state and beyond. Although the former Governor has not formally joined the APC, he was alleged to have used his relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to undermine Oborevwori’s administration in the past. Ibori was also alleged to be angry that his choice for the governorship ticket, David Edevbie lost to Oborevwori in the primaries.

However, Ibori never showed any signs of animosity or disdain when he spoke about the Governor last week. Instead he expressed joy at Oborevwori’s performance in office and endorsed him for a second term beginning from 2027. The Odidigborigbo of Africa further prayed that the Governor would be elevated to a higher position in Abuja at the end of the eight year tenure in 2031. It was a vote of confidence from a man often referred to as father of modern day politics in Delta.

With the public approval by the two men who may be described as the last garrison of defence or resistance to Oborevwori’s administration, it is hoped that the race for the 2027 election has become less cumbersome than earlier anticipated. While not dismissing likely opposition to the Governor, it is hoped that the recent rapprochement between the two gladiators and the Governor would go a long way in engendering less political acrimony in the days ahead.

As for the Governor, it is obvious that the endorsement is a further call to higher duty. He must up his game in the delivery of the dividends of democracy to the people. He must not rest on his oars. Ultimately, Deltans expect to see a man keeping faith with the promise to be Governor to all. It is possible to run a safe, prosperous and united Delta under Oborevwori’s watch.

(C) Office of the New Media.