Innocent Ojefia Blog

In a dramatic twist that could reshape the political landscape ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje has resigned as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Although the former Kano State governor officially cited health concerns, political insiders believe the real trigger was a high-level political deal involving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Ganduje’s long-time rival, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. The announcement came on Friday, sending shockwaves through the APC hierarchy. In his resignation letter, Ganduje expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve, according to APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka. With his exit, Deputy National Chairman (North), Ali Bukar Dalori of Borno State, has been named acting chairman pending the election of a substantive replacement. But beyond the formalities lies a deeper story of political intrigue. The Tinubu-Kwankwaso Equation Multiple sources close to the APC ...

In a heartfelt moment of reflection and gratitude, Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori marked his 62nd birthday not with pomp and pageantry, but with praise, thanksgiving, and a renewed call for unity. Speaking at the Government House Chapel in Asaba during a morning worship session, the Governor opened up about the overwhelming outpouring of love from Deltans and Nigerians across political, ethnic, and religious lines.  Quoting Psalm 100:4, the Governor said, “We enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. That is what I have come to do, to thank God.” He extended appreciation to political associates, friends, well-wishers, and citizens across the country for their birthday messages, prayers, and goodwill advertisements in newspapers, on television, and on radio. “Your kind messages, prayers, and thoughtful adverts truly warmed my heart and made my day extra special,” he said. “Even those who did not support me politically still wished me well, show...

Once revered as Africa’s largest political party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is now a shadow of its former self, a crumbling relic battling irrelevance. Founded on the promise of unity and democratic ideals, the PDP once boasted of ruling Nigeria for 60 uninterrupted years. But barely a decade after losing power, the party is in disarray, and its collapse is no longer a distant possibility, it is unfolding before our eyes. The most telling sign of this decline is the growing number of defections by governors elected on the PDP platform. These are not fringe politicians or disgruntled party agents; they are high-ranking, democratically elected leaders abandoning what they see as a sinking ship. And they are doing so not out of disloyalty but out of survival instinct. The unraveling of the PDP began in 2015 with the internal sabotage of President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid. Rather than rallying behind their candidate, powerful northern elements within the party, led by ...

On this joyous occasion, I, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, CFR, on behalf of my family and political associates, extend warm felicitations to Your Excellency as you mark another remarkable year of life. Birthdays are moments of gratitude and reflection, and today we celebrate not just your birth but the impactful journey you have made in public service. From your early days as a Member of the Delta State House of Assembly to becoming Speaker, and now Governor of our great State, your leadership has remained a beacon of dedication, purpose, and resolve. As you commemorate this special day, we pray that God blesses you with continued good health, divine wisdom, renewed strength, and lasting happiness. May He remain your constant guide and protector in all your endeavours. May this new year in your life usher in a season of greater accomplishments and transformative progress for Delta State. As you lead with vision and courage, may your actions reflect the values of our great party, the All Prog...

  Today, we join millions across Delta State and beyond in celebrating an exceptional leader, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Executive Governor of Delta State, on the occasion of his birthday. This is more than a birthday tribute; it is a heartfelt celebration of a man whose leadership has continued to shape the trajectory of our beloved state. Governor Oborevwori is not just a public servant, he is a visionary, a bridge-builder, and a champion of people-centered development. Since assuming office, His Excellency has stayed true to the promises embedded in his MORE Agenda — Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Realistic Reforms, and Enhanced Peace and Security. These aren't mere words. They are principles that have guided visible achievements in infrastructure development, education, healthcare, youth empowerment, and social welfare across the 25 local government areas of Delta State. From riverine communities to urban centers, Governor Oborevwori’s touch...

The Ijaw National Congress (INC), under the leadership of its President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, has expressed profound appreciation to His Excellency, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, the distinguished Senator representing Bayelsa West in the National Assembly, for his consistent, courageous, and principled defence of the Ijaw nation, particularly amidst recent political and economic challenges. In a statement issued to the media, Prof. Okaba commended Senator Dickson for once again standing firmly with the Ijaw people, despite visible attempts to intimidate or entice him into compromising his convictions and the collective values of the Ijaw nation, values rooted in justice, equity, and the rule of law. He described the Senator as a true son of Ijawland who remains unwavering in his commitment to the cause. The INC President also recalled Senator Dickson's bold stance during the political crisis in Rivers State, notably his confrontation with the Senate President and his principled w...

The claims made by Basil Okoh regarding the public hearing for the proposed Anioma State and the alleged opposition by former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori warrant a critical and measured response. While the piece raises valid concerns about the slow progress of the Anioma State creation process, it leans heavily on unverified allegations, speculative narratives, and divisive rhetoric that risk undermining the collective aspiration for Anioma State. First, the assertion that the public hearing was moved to Uyo due to threats of disruption in Asaba lacks substantiation. No concrete evidence is provided to support the claim that “brigands” were recruited or that rehearsals for disruption occurred. Such inflammatory language, without verifiable proof, fuels unnecessary tension and casts aspersions on the integrity of the process. The decision to hold the hearing in Uyo could be logistical or procedural, public hearings are often held in neutral or central location...

In what many are calling a political masterstroke, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta Central Senatorial District has officially thrown its weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori as their preferred candidates for the 2027 general elections. The adoption was the highlight of the APC Delta Central Mega Unity Meeting, which brought together political gladiators and party faithful from the federal, state, and local government levels. Held in Ughelli, the meeting served as a platform for party leaders and members to reaffirm their support for President Tinubu and Governor Oborevwori. Rt. Hon. Francis Waive, representing Ughelli/Udu Federal Constituency, moved the motion for the adoption of President Tinubu and Governor Oborevwori, praising Tinubu’s economic reforms and Oborevwori’s astute leadership and performance. The motion was seconded by a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Halims Agoda. Senator Ede Dafinone, representing De...

His Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Esteemed Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen, I bring warm greetings and felicitations from the Ijaw National Congress (INC), the apex socio-cultural organization of the Ijaw people—one of the four largest ethnic nationalities in Nigeria. It is both an honour and a solemn responsibility to address this gathering at the 2025 Ocean Rise and Coastal Resilience Summit here in Nice, France. As President of the INC, I deem it vital to speak to the implications of ocean rise, coastal erosion, and climate change for the economic and environmental sustainability of Ijawland. This, despite our deep-rooted maritime heritage and natural endowments as master mariners. The Ijaw Reality As an indigenous nation located in the heart of the Niger Delta, the Ijaw people are no strangers to the devastating impacts of climate change, environmental degradation, and oil pollution. Since the discovery of oil and gas in commercial quantities at Oloibiri in present-day Bayel...

PG Igbuku-Orogun   In a move that underscores the Delta State Government’s commitment to cultural preservation and traditional leadership, the State Executive Council has approved the appointments of several traditional rulers across the State. Among those officially approved are: HRM Okorocha Emoghene Osuokpa I – 39th Okpara-Uku of Orogun Kingdom Obi Michael Ogochukwu Osemedua Isichei – Obi of Ubulu-Okiti HRM Obi Cletus Nkeakam Ochei – Obi of Ukwu-Oba Kingdom HRM Obi Ikechukwu Chukwuemeka Ugboma – Obi of Issele-Azagba Kingdom HRM Patrick Okpomor Agre – Ovie of Igbide Kingdom HRM Michael Avwerotakpo Eyareya (Eyareya II) – Orovworere of Effurun-Otor Kingdom These appointments reflect the administration’s acknowledgment of traditional authority as a cornerstone of community cohesion and governance in Delta State. However, in a related development, the Igbuku-Orogun community has vehemently rejected any affiliation with the new entity, Orogun-Efe kingdom, labeling it as misguided, div...

In a significant political development that may reshape grassroots dynamics in Delta State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ughelli North Local Government Area has united under a common vision, passing a resounding vote of confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori. This landmark decision emerged from a high-level APC Unity Meeting held on Friday, June 6, 2025, at the Evwreni residence of Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, the party’s founding leader in the state. The atmosphere at the meeting was one of reconciliation, resolve, and renewed purpose. According to the communiqué released afterward, party leaders and stakeholders unanimously agreed to align fully with the visions of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Governor Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda. Both leaders were praised for their developmental strides and transformative leadership at the national and state levels. But beyond political endorsements, something more profound oc...

In a major boost to infrastructure and education, the Delta State Executive Council (Exco) has approved a wide range of development projects, including multi-billion-naira road constructions and the release of ₦6.7 billion as counterpart funding to access the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) grant. The approvals, announced following the Exco meeting chaired by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori in Asaba, reflect the administration’s commitment to improving road connectivity and revitalizing basic education under the M.O.R.E. Agenda, which emphasizes Meaningful development, Opportunities for all, Realistic reforms, and Enhanced peace and security. Road Infrastructure: Accelerating Development Across Delta Commissioner for Works (Rural and Public Infrastructure), Mr. Charles Aniagwu, revealed that the approved road projects cut across all three senatorial districts. These include both new road constructions and the rehabilitation of deteriorated roads, strategically chosen to boost e...

Before delving into the subject matter, it is important to clarify a common misconception: many people tend to attribute the non-performance of an administration to its political party. However, this is misleading. A political party is merely a platform; it is an inanimate entity that neither makes decisions nor implements policies. The true drivers of governance are the individuals entrusted with power, particularly the head of the administration. Therefore, it is more appropriate to assess the success or failure of any government based on the actions and choices of those who led it. The evolution of Delta State’s public debt since 1999 offers a compelling lens through which to examine the State’s fiscal management, economic resilience, and leadership priorities. From the early post-democracy years to today’s complex fiscal realities, Delta has oscillated between debt accumulation and reform. Yet, in recent times, a transformative shift is emerging under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori,...

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has emerged as a towering figure in Delta State’s contemporary political history, not merely for the offices he holds but for the depth of vision, inclusivity, and transformative impact that characterise his governance. As he marked his second anniversary in office on May 29, 2025, it was more than a routine commemoration. It was an affirmation of leadership deeply attuned to the challenges of a plural society and committed to the developmental aspirations of its people. The occasion, rich in both symbolism and substance, projected the image of a governor who has evolved from a regional political actor into a strategic leader of statewide and perhaps national relevance. A Steward of Political Harmony Perhaps Governor Oborevwori’s most underappreciated political feat is his ability to unify Delta State’s complex political geography under a common vision of progress. In a State historically marked by ethnic diversity, political rivalry, and shifting allegi...

As Delta State marks the second anniversary of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Francis Oborevwori as Governor, it is a fitting moment to reflect on a leadership journey that has not only inspired hope but also delivered visible and measurable progress across the State. Two years ago, Governor Oborevwori took office with a clear vision encapsulated in his MORE Agenda. Today, that vision is unfolding in remarkable ways, touching lives and transforming communities in every corner of the State. A New Era of Inclusive Development ASABA - Under Governor Oborevwori’s watch, Delta State has entered a new era of inclusive and purposeful development. His leadership has prioritized infrastructure, education, healthcare, job creation, rural integration, and youth empowerment. Roads and bridges are no longer just projects on paper, they are now functional links connecting once-isolated communities and opening doors for commerce and social development. From the Trans-Warri Road and Bridges...

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State is undergoing a transformative phase, marked by renewed unity, integration, and a clear vision for the future. This momentum was evident during an enlarged stakeholders’ meeting held on Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Ovwor, Ughelli South Local Government Area, at the residence of Chief John Oguma. The gathering brought together leaders and members from Ughelli North, Ughelli South, and Udu Federal Constituency, signalling a reinvigorated APC, poised for greater impact. The meeting was a defining moment, showcasing the party’s commitment to cohesion and disciplined leadership. Stakeholders declared a new era for the APC, emphasizing unity and a shared purpose. “We are witnessing a paradigm shift; the APC in Delta State is stronger and more united than ever,” remarked Festus Agas, a former Secretary to the State Government. The event served as a clarion call for members to align with the party’s leadership and work collectively to elevate it...

On May 29, 2023, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori was sworn in as the fifth civilian governor of Delta State, Nigeria, following a decisive victory in the March 18, 2023, gubernatorial election.  The emergence of Sheriff Oborevwori reminded us that God does not follow trends. He sets them. That true leadership is not always found in the obvious. That sometimes, the one who carries the mantle is not the one the world expects, but the one heaven approves. His ascension to the governorship marked a historic milestone as the first Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly to become governor. With his MORE Agenda, Governor Oborevwori promised to build a Delta State that works for all through inclusive development, infrastructure growth, and human capital empowerment. As his administration reaches the two-year mark, it is necessary to look at his midterm performance: Infrastructure Development: Bridging Gaps, Connecting Communities One of the most visible and commend...