By Sunday Apah
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta Central Senatorial District recently demonstrated a united front in anticipation of the 2027 general elections. During a strategic gathering, party leaders, stakeholders, and members collectively endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Senator Ede Dafinone, and all other party candidates. They also emphasized the importance of unity and intensified grassroots mobilization.
This endorsement occurred at the Delta Central APC Stakeholders’ Strategic Meeting, held at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Conference Centre in Effurun.
Chief O’tega Emerhor, a founding leader of the party, initiated the motion for endorsement, which was seconded by Hon. Halims Agoda. Emerhor commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, acknowledging the positive impact of their policies and programs on Nigerians and Deltans.
The motion subsequently underwent a voice vote, led by Delta State APC Chairman, Chief Solomon Arenyeka, and was unanimously adopted.
In his address, Arenyeka explained that the idea for stakeholders’ meetings across the three senatorial districts originated from a June 11 State Working Committee review of party activities. The committee resolved that each senatorial district should organize such meetings to strengthen the party in preparation for the 2027 elections.
He highlighted the Delta Central meeting as proof that this strategy was yielding positive results, noting that the caliber of attendees showcased unprecedented party unity. He asserted that Delta Central had set a precedent for the remaining senatorial districts.
Arenyeka lauded Governor Oborevwori for his relentless efforts in fostering and maintaining unity within the APC throughout Delta State. He remarked that the governor had dedicated considerable time to traveling across local government areas, reconciling dissatisfied members, and bolstering party structures.
He attributed the APC’s successes largely to the Governor’s leadership and extended a welcome to those who had recently joined the party from other political affiliations.
He assured new members of equitable opportunities and complete integration into the APC. Arenyeka also announced that the Delta North stakeholders’ meeting would take place on August 7 in Asaba, with the date for the Delta South meeting to be announced later.
Earlier, Chief Paulinus Akpeki, Chairman of the APC in Delta Central Senatorial District, stated that the governor’s emergence as the party’s governorship candidate reflected the APC’s confidence in his leadership, inclusive governance, and performance in office.
Akpeki noted that the successful execution of the party’s congresses and primaries had strengthened internal democracy, positioning the APC for future electoral victories. He credited Oborevwori’s leadership for the peaceful outcome of these exercises.
He recalled that many observers had predicted internal crises, but the party emerged stronger due to extensive consultations, fairness, and maturity.
“The primaries have concluded. Winners have emerged, and some may naturally feel disappointed. However, the period for internal competition is over. The upcoming election transcends any individual’s ambition. Let us forgive one another, resolve any misunderstandings, and collaborate for the success of our party,” he urged.
He further encouraged members to promote the Oborevwori administration’s achievements in infrastructure, education, healthcare, economic empowerment, peace, and security, while also advocating President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda across Delta State communities.
Akpeki expressed confidence that a unified, disciplined, and focused APC would secure victory in the 2027 general elections.
Addressing the assembly, Chief Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, congratulated all candidates who triumphed in the party’s primaries and commended those who were unsuccessful for their continued loyalty to the APC.
“The APC is not a magic center where individuals simply acquire tickets. Our candidates emerged through the party’s democratic processes, and we must all respect those outcomes,” Keyamo affirmed.
He emphasized that politics is driven by organization, planning, and consistent engagement with the electorate. He added that President Tinubu’s administration’s economic reforms were beginning to show positive results through increased government revenue and greater investments in infrastructure, job creation, and poverty reduction.
Senator Ede Dafinone, representing the Delta Central Senatorial District, thanked party leaders and stakeholders for supporting his candidacy and that of others within the APC. He pledged to facilitate greater employment and empowerment opportunities for Urhobo youths if re-elected.
Leaders from the three federal constituencies in Delta Central also guaranteed the party’s victory in the upcoming elections. Chief Solomon Ighrakpata (Okpe/Sapele/Udu Federal Constituency), Senator Ighoyota Amori (Ethiope Federal Constituency), and Olorogun John Oguma (Ughelli North/Ughelli South/Udu Federal Constituency) declared that the APC remained united across the federal constituencies and committed to collectively delivering all the party’s candidates at the polls.
Speaking on behalf of women in the district, Hon. Stella Okotete, Executive Director of Business Development at NEXIM Bank, assured party leaders that Delta Central would contribute at least one million votes for the APC in the 2027 general elections. She advocated for greater inclusion, support, and empowerment of women and youths, describing them as crucial to the party’s electoral success.
Also speaking, Hon. Isaiah Esiovwa, Chairman of the Delta State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), stated that council chairmen across Delta Central were fully committed to mobilizing grassroots support to ensure victory for all APC candidates.
On behalf of the local government party chairmen, the APC Chairman in Okpe Local Government Area pledged sustained mobilization, reconciliation of aggrieved members, and strengthened party unity to guarantee an overwhelming victory for the party in the 2027 general elections.
