Hon. Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori, a PDP candidate for governor in Delta state, has pledged to repay the Ijaw nation with development if he wins their support in the election of 2023.
Oborevwori expressed his gratitude for being chosen as the Ijaw nation's lone candidate for the Delta State election in 2023 during his formal unveiling event, which was held at the Wellington Hotel in Effurun, Delta State.
He emphasised that the Ijaw are a unique ethnic group in Delta State and the first to support him as their lone candidate, promising to repay them with development through his M.O.R.E platform.
According to him, “My M.O.R.E agenda stands for Meaningful development, Opportunities for all, Realistic reforms, and Enhanced peace and security. I am a Pan Delta and unifier, positioned to do more for Deltans if elected governor. I promise to give Warri a new face because Warri is a city that played host to the Urhobos, Ijaws, Itsekiris and some other tribes”.
He commended the 12 traditional rulers of Delta Ijaw extraction for their support and prayers. He also commended elders and political leaders of Ijaw nation for the fantastic organization of the programme which he said witnessed who-is-who in Ijaw politics.
Earlier, the Chairman of the ceremony, Chief Peter Yerindideke Biakpara and Hon. Dagidi Andaye who spoke in the same vein explained how the elders and political leaders of Ijaw nation recently met at Alaowei Broderick Bozimo, former Minister of Police Affairs’ residence in Effurun and unanimously decided to endorse Sheriff Oborevwori as the sole candidate of the Ijaw nation for the governorship election in Delta state.
According to them, “We took the decision because we know that the Ijaw agenda which some of us agitated for through some Ijaw aspirants would be achieved through supporting Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori is our sole candidate for the 2023 governorship election.
“After the meeting, committees were set up to reconcile some aggrieved persons and to also unveil Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori as the sole candidate of Ijaw nation.
“Thereafter the unveiling committee, elders and political leaders of the Ijaw Nation in Delta State, on Thursday 22 December 2022 paid a consultation visit to all the traditional rulers of Ijaw extraction in the state to inform and appeal to them for blessings to vote for all PDP candidates.
“The candidates included Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Senator Dr Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for President and Vice President respectively, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and Sir Monday Onyeme for Governor and Deputy Governor respectively; Hon. Michael Diden for Senate, Delta South District; Rt. Hon. Nicholas Mutu for House of Representatives, Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency; Rt. Hon. Julius Pondi for House of Representatives, Burutu Federal Constituency and the five PDP House of Assembly candidates of Ijaw extraction.
“In response, HRM Elder (Capt.) Joseph Timiyan, Ebenanaowei of Ogulagha Kingdom and Chairman, Delta Ijaw Traditional Rulers Forum, who spoke on behalf of the monarchs, prayed for the elders and political leaders of the Ijaw nation to succeed in all their endeavors”.
Also, representatives of the Ijaw nation in Delta state who spoke during the ceremony included Chief Frank Omare, Warri South West, Rt. Hon. Basil Ganagana, Patani, David Ekereokosu Esq., Bomadi, Benedict Dede Ekpese Esq., Burutu, Hon. Dio Tanga, Warri North and they all promised on behalf of the Ijaw nation in Delta state to work for the victory of all PDP candidates in the state.
The ceremony was attended by Rt. Hon. Julius Pondi, PDP House of Representives Candidate, Burutu Federal Constituency; Chief Julius Takeme, PDP Chairman, Delta South District; Chief Bare Etolor, Chairman, Delta Izon Okosu-Otu, Hon. Asupa Forteta, PDP House of Assembly Candidate, Burutu Constituency I; Engr. Emmanuel Sinebe, PDP House Assembly Candidate, Patani Constituency; Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, PDP House of Assembly Candidate, Warri South West Constituency; Hon. Pullah Ekpotuayerin, Member, Delta State House of Assembly, Burutu II Constituency; Chief Daniel Yingi, Special Adviser to the Governor; Chief Vero Tangbowei, Chief Boro Opudu, Paul Bebenimibo, Commissioner, DESOPADEC; Chief M. Tiemo, Chief Isa Clark, SSA to the Governor and others
On the entourage of Sheriff Oborevwori included Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, Hon. Solomon Ighrakpata, Deputy Chief Whip, Delta State House of Assembly, AVM Frank Ajobena, Hon. Matthew Poko Opuoru.