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Delta 7th Assembly: We Must Conclude All Outstanding Legislative Assignments – Oborevwori.
Oborevwori To Lawmakers: Let Us Conclude All Outstanding Legislative Assignments
As the 7th Delta State Assembly draws to a close, the Speaker, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori has urged members to use the remaining few weeks to conclude all outstanding legislative assignments.
Rt Hon Oborevwori gave the charge on Tuesday, at the Hallowed Chamber, while addressing the Lawmakers during plenary of the House.
It was the first time the Speaker was presiding at plenary after his declaration as Delta State Governor Elect.
Welcoming members to the plenary, the Governor Elect and Speaker reminded the Lawmakers that they are at the last lap of the Seventh Assembly and stressed the need for the various House committees to expedite actions on all outstanding legislative assignments before them.
According to him; “Dear colleagues, today’s plenary is unique in the history of Delta State House of Assembly. It is the first time since the inception of the House that a Speaker of the House is presiding in plenary as a SPEAKER and also being the Governor-elect of the State. This is a groundbreaking feat for the Legislature in the State. You will recall that in the second week of February, 2023 the House adjourned to enable Members vying for elective positions at both national and State levels to fully embark on campaigns for the elections. Though, we have since resumed plenary, however, this is the first plenary of the House I am presiding over as a Speaker after my declaration by INEC as Governor-Elect of our dear State. To God be the Glory”.
“Specifically, the Presidential and National Assembly elections were held on Saturday, 25th February, 2023 and the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly on Saturday, 18th March, 2023. The elections have come and gone, and I wish to congratulate our party members (the PDP) who won and those who lost gallantly. Nonetheless, I wish to also congratulate those who have been elected to the 8th Assembly of this honourable House. Irrespective of your political affiliation, I look forward to partnering with you to advance Delta State to the next level of growth and development”, he added.
Rt Hon Oborevwori also said that; “Again, let me seize this opportunity to thank our traditional rulers, civil society groups, organized labour, religious leaders and followers, grassroots organisations, all PDP faithful, women, men, youths, and above all God Almighty for my resounding victory at the polls. I will continue to trust in God for the wisdom and guidance required to advance Delta State with my M.O.R.E Agenda. It is also important that I commend the security agencies that ensured the election was held in a peaceful and orderly atmosphere. Also noteworthy, are the staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, for their diligence and courage in the face of threats and intimidation. You did well to deliver a free, fair and credible election in Delta State. My gratitude also goes to the various observer teams and the press for their Independent and unbiased reporting and assessment. Posterity will be kind to you”.
“At this juncture, I wish to single out the youth of Delta State for standing resolute behind my candidacy and conducting themselves with decorum. You have started something remarkable, and I want to assure you that the youth will play a role in my administration. By the special grace of God, I will be Governor to all and sundry. Distinguished colleagues, I invite you to join me in celebrating our unrivalled leader and performing Governor, His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for his revolutionary strides in human capital development, infrastructural renewal, and peace building. He has laid a solid foundation for the takeoff of the M.O.R.E Agenda. His monumental contribution to the success of the PDP in the just concluded elections in the State is unparalleled. I also wish to appreciate our leaders across Delta State for their show of love and support”, Rt Hon Oborevwori stated.
He further said that; “I have learnt many things in the past six years as Speaker of the House under the able leadership of Governor Okowa. One of them is that I have learnt the importance of setting the priorities of government, communicating goals and outcomes of policies and programmes, and pursuing them with relentless zeal. I certainly believe that my rich experience in the Executive and Legislative arms of government put me in a better position to deliver on my campaign promises and provide good governance to our people. My goal is to make life richer, better, and more fulfilling for all through the M.O.R.E Agenda. Mine is a mandate for consolidation and growth, investment and economic reform in advancing Delta”.
The Speaker said that; “Distinguished colleagues, as we resume plenary today, we should remember that we are at the last lap of the Seventh Assembly. We have few weeks to the end of our tenure. Let us endeavour to conclude on all outstanding legislative assignments in our various Committees. The Seventh Assembly has done very well in lawmaking, representation of constituents and oversight of other arms of government. I will reserve enumeration of our achievements till the valedictory Session. On this note, I would like to express my appreciation to Honourable Members for their unflinching support to the leadership of the House. Together, we have propelled the House to an enviable height in the comity of State Houses of Assembly in the country. We have also made history together as the Legislature that has produced a Governor of the State in our time. Congratulations to all of us”.
He specially thanked the management and staff of the House, led by the Clerk of the House, for their support to him, the leadership and members of the House, adding that; “The entire staff stood resolute behind me through the thick and thin of the electioneering process. Thank you for believing in me and I promise that the Legislature will always occupy the prime place in my heart”.
He said that; “As you will recall, after my victory, I made a promise to the Staff of the House that the leadership of the House led by me will immediately embark on maintenance and renovation of the Assembly complex. I also promised to provide furniture and office equipment to staff for effective discharge of their duties. And very importantly, I made a promise to also train the staff and management to further enhance their capacity for effective service delivery. I am glad to inform you today that the trainings for staff and management of the House have been done and dusted within the last two weeks. Furthermore, furniture and office equipment are being supplied to staff offices. Meanwhile, the maintenance and renovation of the Assembly Complex is ongoing. I want to reiterate that I am a promise keeper. Consistency and reliability will be one of the pillars of my administration. “I TALK AND I DO.”Once again, I welcome you to plenary and thank you for your kind attention. God bless you”.
Meantime, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa Tuesday forwarded four bills to the Delta State House of Assembly for processing and possible passage into law.
They include a Bill to Amend the Delta State High Court Law 2021, a Bill to Repeal the State School of Marine Technology Burutu and enact Delta State Polytechnic, Burutu, a Bill for law to provide for Creative Industry Development Fund and a Bill to Repeal Delta State School of Technologya law 2022 and enact College of Health Sciences and Technology law 2023.
Also at plenary, the Delta State Sickle Cell Disorder Bill 2023 was read the second time after an extensive debates on its merits as led by the Majority Leader, Ferguson Onwo.
News
GOV OBOREWORI BOOSTS TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONS WITH 65 LAND CRUISERS TO STRENGTHEN GRASSROOTS PEACE
By: Divine Perezide
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, has handed over 65 brand new Toyota Land Cruisers to traditional rulers across the state in a move aimed at strengthening grassroots governance, peacebuilding, and rural security coordination.
Presenting the vehicles in Asaba, the state government said the gesture reflects the administration’s recognition of the strategic role traditional institutions play in maintaining social stability, mediating communal disputes, and fostering collaboration between communities and government agencies.
The governor described traditional rulers as indispensable partners in sustaining harmony in rural areas, noting that enhanced mobility would enable quicker engagement with communities, faster response to emerging tensions, and closer cooperation with security operatives.
“This intervention is part of our people-centered leadership approach. It is a deliberate effort to build lasting peace and sustain the achievements of our MORE Agenda,” Governor Oborevwori stated, emphasizing that development thrives only in an atmosphere of peace.
Government officials explained that the vehicles would improve accessibility across difficult terrains, enable traditional leaders to attend to community matters more efficiently, and reinforce the interface between grassroots institutions and the state.
Stakeholders have commended the initiative as timely, especially as many rural communities rely heavily on traditional institutions for conflict resolution, cultural administration, and early warning mechanisms in times of tension.
With the distribution of the Land Cruisers, the Oborevwori administration says it remains committed to deepening rural engagement, strengthening local leadership structures, and advancing its peace-building framework across Delta State.
IduwiniVoice
By: Derick Peretengboro
Port Harcourt, 12 January 2026 — A Reconciliation Committee appointed by the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has appealed to political actors in Rivers State to end the ongoing crisis that has deeply affected governance and public confidence in the oil-rich state.
Headed by Chief Godwin Kanu Agabi, SAN, CON, the Committee was inaugurated on 12th January 2026 to “explore ways of bringing the escalating political crisis in Rivers State to an end,” a crisis, the Committee noted, that “has persisted for too long.”
In a statement at the inauguration, Chief Agabi said the Committee was privileged to serve and expressed gratitude to God and PANDEF leadership, particularly Ambassador Godknows Igali, Chairman of PANDEF’s Board of Trustees, and His Royal Majesty, King Alfred Papapraye Diete Spiff, former Governor of Rivers State and Amayanabo of Twon Brass. The statement described Sir Diete Spiff as “a man whose commitment to the South-South and the nation as a whole has never been in doubt,” adding that “it is the sacrifices of men like him that bequeathed the States of the South-South to the people of that area.”
Highlighting the gravity of the state’s political stand-off, the Committee warned that continuing conflict could erode confidence in the political actors’ commitment to the “interest of the people of Rivers State and of the nation.”
Using a local proverb to caution against self-destructive disputes, the statement urged caution: “Let the parties involved not be as the Clam and the Oyster … The fisherman picked them up, took them home and made a nice fine meal of Clam and Oyster. May it not be with Rivers State as it was with the Clam and the Oyster.”
Chief Agabi expressed optimism that the crisis could be resolved without external intervention, arguing that “the parties to this dispute are one people who began as one” and urging humility: “If they have now offended one another, they must be humble enough to apologize and to forgive. It is in forgiving that true greatness can be found.”
The Committee called for goodwill and prayer, countering the often-held view that religion has no place in politics. The statement read: “The misconception that God has no place in our politics has harmed and continues to harm the nation … Whether we are governors or ministers or legislators … it is to God that we owe our appointments and promotions.”
On the key figures involved in the crisis, Chief Agabi spoke personally of both the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, His Excellency Nyesom Wike, and the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Governor Fubara, saying: “The Minister … is my friend. He is my benefactor.… The mighty hand of God is upon him. That great Hand demands that he should lead this reconciliation … I trust [Governor Fubara] to respect that bond.”
The Committee also extended respect to members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, praying for “a change of heart on their part” and urging them that “in forgiving the Governor whatever wrongs he has committed … they will demonstrate … restraint, … public spirit and … maturity.”
Concluding its charge, the Committee emphasized that it was not a judicial body, but an appeal for unity: “This Committee is not appointed to sit in judgment … Our duty is to appeal to the parties to be reconciled with one another… We appeal to the parties to embrace reconciliation… Sacrifices are called for. Make them and let there be peace.”
By: Divine Perezide
Warri, Delta State — Residents of the Warri Federal Constituency and surrounding environment are set to witness the public presentation of a new book titled “Warri Federal Constituency Delineation: Itsekiri & the Challenge of Sustaining the Burden of Lies”, authored by M. Keme.
The event, being organized by Niger Delta Scholars on behalf of stakeholders in the constituency, is scheduled to take place on Friday, January 23rd, 2026, at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Conference Centre, Warri, with proceedings commencing at 11:00am.
According to the organizers, the book interrogates historical and contemporary issues surrounding the delineation of Warri Federal Constituency, with particular focus on the Itsekiri ethnic group and the socio-political narratives that have shaped representation over the years.
The public presentation will be chaired by Professor Benjamin Okaba, President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), who is expected to lend scholarly insight into the relevance of the publication to ongoing debates in Niger Delta politics.
The book will be formally reviewed by noted academic Professor Benedict Binebai, providing an evaluative perspective on the text and its contributions to regional political discourse.
The organizers have issued an open invitation to scholars, political leaders, community stakeholders, and the general public to attend the presentation ceremony. Enquiries and confirmations can be directed to the official RSVP line: 08023865232.
The forthcoming launch is anticipated to spark renewed intellectual and civic engagement on constituency delineation, ethnic relations, and democratic representation in the Niger Delta.