By Sunday Apah
Elders, leaders and key stakeholders of the Ughievwen Kingdom, which forms Ughelli South Local Government Area Constituency I, on Sunday declared their unwavering commitment to deliver massive votes for every All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the 2027 general elections.
The powerful show of unity took place at a high-profile meeting of the who-is-who in Ughievwen politics, convened by the member representing Ughelli South Constituency I in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Festus Eseoghene Utuama.
The meeting was held at the residence of the late Prof. Amos Agbe Utuama in Otu-Jeremi, Delta State, and drew a cross-section of traditional rulers, political heavyweights, youth leaders and community influencers determined to present a united front.
Addressing the assembly, Hon. Festus Eseoghene Utuama expressed profound gratitude to the people for their solid backing during the just-concluded APC primary election for Ughelli South Constituency I, which he won convincingly.
“This meeting is first and foremost a thanksgiving,” Utuama told the gathering. “You stood by me, you believed in me, and you delivered victory. Today I stand before you not only as your representative but as a son of Ughievwen who is determined to repay that trust with even greater results.”
He went on to catalogue the concrete achievements of his tenure, pointing to new and renovated school infrastructure spread across several towns in the local government area.
“Classrooms that once leaked are now solid, and our children now learn in an environment that befits their future,” he said.
Utuama also highlighted economic empowerment programmes that have put cash in the hands of hundreds of constituents and secured gainful employment for many others. With the constituency now more compact than in his first term, he promised that development would become even more visible and impactful. “The smaller the space, the sharper the focus. Expect more projects, more jobs and more tangible progress in the years ahead,” he declared to thunderous applause.
Rt. Hon. Francis Ejiroghene Waive, the member representing Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, equally thanked the Ughievwen people for their consistent support.
“Ughievwen has never failed me, and I will never fail Ughievwen,” Waive stated emphatically. He reeled out a list of landmark federal projects secured for the area, including the Federal Medical Centre at Ovwian and the School of Nursing at Otughievwen, describing them as life-changing institutions that would serve generations.
He further noted the progressive bills he has sponsored, some already signed into law and others advancing through the legislative process. “These are not mere documents; they are tools for development, empowerment and justice for our people,” he said. Looking ahead to a possible third term, Waive vowed to do even more. “When you re-elect me, the dividends will multiply. I urge you to extend the same love and loyalty you have shown me to every other APC candidate — from the presidential ticket down to the state assembly. Together we will make history in 2027.”
Other prominent sons of Ughievwen who addressed the meeting reinforced the call for total mobilisation. Chief Akpokiboro Patrick Fovie, former Chairman of Ughelli South Local Government Area, pledged to work tirelessly at the grassroots.
Olorogun Johnson Boro, a former Commissioner in DESOPADEC, reminded the audience of the party’s track record of delivery. Mr. Simon Mudi (popularly known as Temple), Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Protocol, and Olorogun Godwin Okporoko, Executive Assistant to the Governor on Security, both stressed the need for discipline and unity.
Chief Ubu Digbame Jiminyevwen, APC Youth Leader for Delta Central, and Deacon Matthew Kwode, Executive Assistant to the Governor on Political Matters, along with several other speakers, promised to deploy every available structure to ensure an overwhelming margin of victory for the APC.
In a collective appeal that drew sustained applause, the leaders urged all aggrieved party members to set aside personal grievances and work for the greater good.
“The house must not be divided,” one speaker declared. “Our strength lies in our unity. Let us bury every difference and deliver the highest possible votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Senator Ede Dafinone, Rt. Hon. Francis Waive and Hon. Festus Utuama.
By the close of the meeting, the message was unmistakable: Ughievwen is standing as one. The elders, leaders and stakeholders left Otu-Jeremi with a clear mandate — to translate their words into action and deliver a landslide for the All Progressives Congress in 2027.
