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March 11: Why Deltans Should Vote For Sheriff Oborevwori As Governor.
By Geo Edesiri
With the Governorship and House of Assembly elections around the corner, it has become necessary to examine factors that voters ought to consider in reaching the final decision to cast their votes for candidates. This interrogation is specially for the benefit of the voters in Delta State.
Therefore, one believes that voters in Delta State necessarily need to consider the factors of identifying the virtues of competence, integrity, character, ability to deliver on electoral promises, soundness of mind, and physical ability. But also very important is the need to consider the issue of experience of a candidate vis-a-vis the knowledge or skill that one has acquired from doing a job or activity.
Therefore, the people of Delta State as they prepare to vote, one expects that they will examine each candidate and make their decisions based on the above factors as well as factors that a candidate possesses like being a grassroots person, one who understands the yearnings of the people and can relate with them at their levels. In other words, Deltans should examine candidates who have the ability to relate with the high and the low in society. In other words, the local content quality of candidates must be an essential desideratum because such a candidate is better placed to identify with the needs and desires of the people. Such a candidate is not an elitist person; this feature is an uncommon endowment that makes such a candidate better placed in relating with people of the grassroots.
Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, the Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) possesses these factors in abundance, including being a certified and tested Christian and a notable philanthropist. These are rare factors that distinguish him as a man that should fit the bill of a Governor that is endowed with the milk of human kindness.
It is also necessary to let Deltans not to be carried away by sentiments that are the products of petty grudges and anger that have degenerated into misplaced aggression coming from a segment of disenchanted politicians formally in the PDP fold who have now pitched tent and are working for the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). Deltans must in making their choice to cast votes take note of why APC must never be considered because of the sufferings that the Federal Government administration of the party has brought Nigerians into.
Deltans and other voters must examine how the APC has brought insecurity, especially with the menace of Fulani herdsmen who have made life unbearable for our farmers, whose crops and source of livelihood have been adversely affected. What did Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, the one seeking votes to be Governor do when Deltans were faced with the challenge of the rampaging activities of the AK-47-wielding herdsmen? How many of the herdsmen did he help to arrest and bring to book? As Deputy Senate President, what did he do to prevail on President Muhammadu Buhari to bring the plight of the suffering Deltans to the notice of the President?
Truth is that Omo-Agege and cohorts looked away while Deltans faced torture inflicted on them by the herdsmen. He lost the discipline of a patriotic Deltan to make a case for them just because he wanted to be in the good books of President Buhari. This is why voters must reject Omo-Agege as Governor because his record of service fell short of the expectations of Deltans. He does not deserve their votes.
But Oborevwori as Speaker, worked assiduously with the executive arm to nip the situation in the bud. The efforts culminated in the passing of the anti-open grazing law passed by the House of Assembly, as well as a law creating the Delta Hawk security outfit that has helped to go after daredevil agents of insecurity. This has to a large extent eased the insecurity situation in the State, so much so that persons running away from the scourge of insecurity in their States have now found Delta State as a safe and secure haven to live in.
This consideration, in my view, stands Rt. Hon. Oborevwori in good stead to deserve the votes of Deltans on March 11. This stands him better to continue and improve on what Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has done so far. This he has encapsulated in his vision ‘to keep Delta State ahead in all aspects of social and economic wellbeing,” with the mission “To run an open, responsive Government that meets the needs and aspirations of our people through infrastructural development, growth in human capital and improved social harmony.”
Oborevwori as Governor will hit the ground running by building on the legacies and foundation already built by Governor Okowa. He does not need to begin to learn afresh, which will take time. The features of Governors are already in place, he will only need minor but meaningful adjustments that will not need any time wasting to accomplish and get to work.
Delta State should consider the above issues as very germane for continuity and Sheriff Oborevwori is the man that fits the bill along with his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme. You don’t go to University to acquire experience. It was acquired on the job and for eight solid years Oborevwori has been in the saddle as Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly. He has the experience to deliver M.O.R.E to Deltans.
Deltans must be careful to vote in the right person and not those who seek to undermine the oneness and unity of the people of the State. Let’s not give room for the unity in Delta State to be compromised. Sheriff Oborevwori is the man that will build on this important legacy.
Sheriff Oborevwori is it. Vote Sheriff Oborevwori come March 11, 2023.
© Edesiri wrote in from Asaba.
By Favour Bibaikefie
LAGOS — Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have uncovered a suspected baby factory in Badagry area of Lagos State, rescuing 28 persons during a late-night raid.
Authorities said those rescued included 18 adults and 10 children. Among the adults were 17 pregnant women, while one case involving a suspected miscarriage was also recorded. Two persons were arrested in connection with the operation.
The Lagos State Commandant of the NSCDC, Adedotun Keshinro, disclosed that the raid followed weeks of intelligence gathering and surveillance.
According to him, the facility, located in Okuju-Ilado, Badagry, was made up of several apartments and had been monitored for about three weeks before security operatives moved in around midnight on Wednesday.
Keshinro alleged that the operators targeted vulnerable pregnant women by offering them financial inducements. He further claimed that the women were made to sign agreements and were subsequently restricted from leaving the premises freely.
Investigators also suspect that the syndicate used a fake social media profile to attract unsuspecting victims before moving discussions to private channels.
However, one of the arrested suspects denied wrongdoing, insisting that the women came willingly and that no unlawful activity took place.
A woman rescued from the premises reportedly told officials that she entered the facility voluntarily after being abandoned by the man responsible for her pregnancy.
Some community leaders in the area said residents had observed unusual movements around the compound but did not know the true nature of activities there until the security operation was carried out.
The NSCDC said both suspects and rescued victims would be transferred to the appropriate anti-human trafficking agency for further investigation and necessary action.
By Tama Peretengboro
ABUJA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has stirred public discussion after making a remark in which he said he “took over leadership from myself” and described the late Muhammadu Buhari as being inseparable from his own political identity.
The statement, made during a public appearance captured in a viral video, quickly generated widespread reactions across political and social circles, with many Nigerians debating the meaning and context of the President’s comments.
Observers said the remarks appeared to underscore Tinubu’s close political association with Buhari and the continuity of governance between both administrations. Others interpreted the comments as an attempt to highlight the shared vision and alliance that existed between the two leaders during Buhari’s tenure.
Since assuming office in May 2023, Tinubu has repeatedly acknowledged Buhari’s role in the formation and electoral success of the All Progressives Congress, as well as the political transition that brought the ruling party to power.
The resurfaced clip has since fueled fresh commentary online, with supporters defending the statement as symbolic and critics questioning its phrasing.
As of the time of filing this report, the Presidency had not issued any formal clarification regarding the viral video.
See video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXOOaYSCG23/?igsh=MTF6MzJlOWptanJlYQ==
By Divine Perezide
BURUTU — The member representing Burutu State Constituency I in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Alapala Anthony Ebitonmo, has officially announced his intention to seek re-election in the 2027 polls.
Hon. Alapala made the declaration while addressing executives of the All Progressives Congress in Burutu Local Government Area, shortly after the release of the Independent National Electoral Commission timetable and the party’s schedule for the May 16 State Houses of Assembly primaries.
During the meeting, the lawmaker expressed gratitude to party leaders and members for their support during the 2023 general elections, particularly commending members in Burutu LGA for their steadfastness throughout the legal disputes that followed the polls.
He recalled that after his initial victory was overturned by the Court of Appeal, party loyalists remained committed until he eventually emerged victorious in the rerun election.
Speaking on his stewardship, Alapala said his administration had recorded notable progress despite the challenges that marked the early period of his tenure. He noted that the political developments in Delta State, including the alignment of major political blocs and the emergence of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori as leader of the APC in the state, had created a more favourable atmosphere for governance.
The legislator stated that several constituency projects are ongoing across the six wards of Burutu North, stressing that grassroots development remains central to his agenda.
On human capital development, he disclosed that more than 50 constituents are currently serving in various appointments under his office, with beneficiaries drawn from all six wards to promote fairness and inclusion.
He further revealed that over 20 students from the constituency have benefited from scholarship opportunities facilitated through his office, while more than 790 students are receiving regular stipends under the Alapala Ebitonmo Students’ Support Scheme.
According to him, the initiative was introduced to reduce financial hardship among students and encourage academic success.
Hon. Alapala also said he had assisted several indigenes of Burutu North in securing empowerment opportunities as well as pensionable employment.
Reaffirming his commitment to public service, the lawmaker assured party stakeholders that if re-elected, he would build on the achievements already recorded and deliver greater democratic dividends to the people.
He also pledged continued loyalty to the APC and its guiding principles.