Delta 2027: Great Ogboru, an advocate for change in leadership

By Mabel Akpobi With barely a few months to the momentous 2027 general elections, political realignments, horse-trading, and intense political manoeuvring have begun at all three tiers of government. At the national level, political parties registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are preparing for the 2027 race to Aso Rock Villa, engaging one another in fierce contests for political supremacy and the support of an increasingly aggrieved Nigerian electorate.

Every discerning observer knows that the 2027 elections will not be a mere political contest. Developments within the various opposition camps at the national level suggest that the campaigns will go beyond rhetoric, political mudslinging, and the exchange of insults. This time, voters appear increasingly determined to make informed choices at polling units across the country.

Widespread hunger, rampant inflation, and persistent insecurity are among the numerous challenges threatening the well-being of Nigerians. These structural problems have become the new normal, offering little hope for a better future. Nigerians continue to groan under the weight of soaring petrol prices, rising food costs, increasing prices of essential commodities, inadequate social amenities, and the pervasive corruption associated with the political class.

These challenges have become major campaign issues for opposition parties. In Delta State, the situation is equally troubling. Deltans are grappling with severe insecurity, rising unemployment, biting poverty, a struggling education system, inadequate healthcare, massive infrastructural deficits, and a frightening decline in purchasing power. As political campaigns begin to gather momentum, many Deltans appear ready to set aside ethnic considerations in their quest to elect a leader capable of rescuing the state from the grip of hunger, corruption, and the deprivation of basic necessities.

Consequently, the 2027 campaigns are expected to focus increasingly on issues that directly affect the lives of the people. In Delta State, the incumbent governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has, in the view of his critics, not done enough to justify the substantial revenue accruing to the state over the past three and a half years. This troubling state of affairs in our beloved Delta State has placed renowned business mogul Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru in a strategic position to contest for victory in the 2027 governorship election.

Ogboru and his African Democratic Congress (ADC) have a political presence in the state, which could work in their favour at the polls. Ogboru’s ultimate ambition is to correct the shortcomings of previous administrations in the state. As an industrialist, he is expected to prioritise industrialisation and establish manufacturing enterprises to stimulate economic activities across Delta State.

Such initiatives could create numerous employment opportunities for the state’s teeming youth population and contribute to sustainable economic growth. Deltans must, therefore, exercise caution and avoid repeating the mistakes of previous years. If the state is to achieve meaningful economic progress, a change in leadership may be necessary. This is why Deltans are being urged to vote wisely by supporting Chief Great Ogboru and the ADC in the 2027 governorship election.

Ogboru’s continued involvement in the state’s challenging political landscape offers a message of hope to the people of Delta State, many of whom are yearning for better governance and improved living conditions. The concept of “Delta Beyond Oil,” popularised by former governor Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, remains a laudable development vision. However, critics argue that its implementation has fallen short of expectations and that the current administration under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has yet to translate the vision into the desired economic transformation.

If history is anything to go by, Deltans must be prepared to take their destiny into their own hands by voting out leaders they believe have failed to meet their expectations. The state deserves leadership that prioritises the welfare of its people, promotes accountability, and delivers tangible development. Deltans must choose a leader who is prudent in planning, courageous in taking calculated risks, and humble in the discharge of public responsibilities.

The people of Delta State are, therefore, encouraged to remain hopeful. There may indeed be light at the end of the tunnel, provided they collectively make informed choices and take the necessary steps towards a better future. *Akpovi is resident in Sapele, Delta State