Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has congratulated the Founder and Presiding Bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, on his 72nd birth anniversary, describing his contributions to faith, education and nation-building as enduring.
Oborevwori, in a goodwill message issued on Sunday in Asaba by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, said Oyedepo had, through decades of dedicated service, inspired millions of people in Nigeria and beyond.
The Governor described the cleric as a “rare gift to Christendom”, noting that his teachings, mentorship and commitment to Christian ministry had shaped generations of believers.
He also commended Oyedepo’s contribution to education through the establishment of Covenant University and Landmark University, saying the institutions had become important centres of academic excellence, character development and youth empowerment.
Oborevwori said; “Bishop Oyedepo is not only a father in the faith but also a role model whose life of service, integrity and visionary leadership continues to inspire millions, including me.
“On behalf of my family, the Government and people of Delta State, I heartily congratulate our father in the Lord, Bishop David Oyedepo, as he marks 72 remarkable years of a life dedicated to God and humanity.
“Your commitment to nation-building, spiritual guidance and the empowerment of youths through quality education is truly commendable. We remain proud of your accomplishments and grateful for the positive influence you have had on countless lives.”
Oborevwori prayed God to grant the Bishop continued strength, sound health and grace for many more years of impactful service to the Church and humanity.
The Head of Service of Delta State, Dr. (Mrs.) Mininim Oseji, has announced the postponement of the send-forth ceremony earlier scheduled for Monday, September 28, 2026, in honour of the immediate past Head of Service and other retired Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Extra-Ministerial Departments.
The ceremony has now been rescheduled for Monday, October 5, 2026.
The postponement follows the unfortunate death of Mr. Unity Adeda, a Deputy Director in the Delta State Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
The decision, according to the Head of Service, is in recognition of the solemn circumstances surrounding the passing of the senior civil servant and the need for the service to mourn with his family at this difficult time.
In a related development, a delegation from the Directorate of Establishments and Pensions, Office of the Head of Service, Delta State, on Sunday visited the family of the late Mr. Adeda to convey the condolences of the Head of Service.
The delegation comprised Mr. Aki O. Best, Director, Planning, Research and Statistics; Mr. G. Ofuaneme, Director, Pensions; and Mrs. Ivi Pretty, Director, Management Services.
During the visit, the delegation expressed the sympathy and solidarity of the Office of the Head of Service to the bereaved family, following the loss of the Deputy Director.
The visit underscored the administration’s concern for the welfare of members of the state civil service and their families, particularly in moments of grief and bereavement.
The rescheduling of the send-forth ceremony also reflects the solemn mood within the state civil service as colleagues, friends and associates mourn the passing of Mr. Adeda.
The ceremony to honour the immediate past Head of Service and other retired Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Extra-Ministerial Departments will now hold on Monday, October 5, 2026.
Delta State Government has condoled with the family of late Mr Unity Adeda, a Level 16 civil servant in the Ministry of Secondary Education, who reportedly died following an altercation at his workplace, assuring the family that justice would not be perverted.
Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Kingsley Emu, gave the assurance when he led a delegation of senior government officials to the deceased’s family on Saturday to commiserate with them over the incident.
The delegation included the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Johnson Erijo; Permanent Secretary, SSG’s Office, Mr Lucky Nkemachor; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Community Development, Mrs Kevwe Agas; Executive Secretary, State Pensions Bureau, Mr Lawson Efenudu, among others.
Emu said the state government was deeply concerned about the incident, stressing that every life mattered to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration.
He said the government was in mourning with the family, the civil service and the entire state, noting that the deceased was a senior public servant who had contributed to the state’s public service.
“The entire state is in a mourning mood, not just the family. He was a very senior officer, but whether he was a senior or junior officer, every life means a lot to the state and the government,” he said.
According to him, the government was yet to establish the full circumstances surrounding the death because the police investigation was still ongoing.
He, however, said preliminary accounts indicated that an internal altercation at the workplace had escalated, leading to the unfortunate incident.
Emu said Governor Oborevwori had immediately directed the Commissioner of Police to ensure that the matter was thoroughly investigated, adding that some persons connected with the incident had already made statements to the police.
He said the government had also constituted an administrative panel, made up entirely of serving and retired civil servants, to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident and strengthen internal conflict-resolution mechanisms within the public service.
“The essence of the administrative panel is not to conflict with the judicial process or the police investigation. It is to help us rebuild our system and enrich our conflict-management process,” he said.
The SSG explained that workplace conflicts were inevitable but must be managed through appropriate institutional mechanisms before they are escalated.
Emu disclosed that the government had met with labour leaders on Thursday following the incident and assured them that the workplace remained safe for civil servants.
He said; “we met with Labour yesterday and what Labour wanted was reassurance that there would be justice. Labour, as well as ourselves, agreed that the administrative panel must be set up and the police must do their job.
“All of these things have been done. The entire justice process has started, and we are convinced that having seen the sincerity and transparency of government, labour will do the needful,” he said.
Emu also appealed to civil servants to remain calm and continue with their duties, assuring them that the government was committed to protecting lives and ensuring a peaceful working environment.
“We are here to establish government concern, register the government’s sincere condolences and tell you (family) that we are with you. There will be no perversion of justice as far as this case is concerned,” he said.
He urged the family to take solace in the life the deceased lived and the impact she made during her years of service, while assuring them that the government would continue to stand by them.
Responding on behalf of the family, Mr Godwin Akamakusi, the deceased’s in-law, thanked Governor Oborevwori and the Delta State Government for the visit and concern.
He appealed to the government to ensure that the circumstances surrounding the death were fully investigated and that justice was served.
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to commence emergency repairs on the Benin-Asaba Road, describing the intervention as a major step towards restoring the critical economic corridor.
Oborevwori, who spoke through the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, at the “Operation Rescue Benin-Asaba Road” exercise in Benin City on Thursday, said the deplorable condition of the highway had subjected motorists, commuters and businesses to prolonged hardship.
Aniagwu said the road was particularly important to Delta and Edo states, describing it as a major artery linking communities, commercial centres and the South-South and South-East regions. He attributed its deterioration largely to the failure of the concessionaire to meet the objectives of the concession agreement.
“We are therefore delighted that the Federal Government has today deemed it fit to give life back to this important road corridor, which connects not only the commercial centres of the South-East but also the burgeoning business centres in Delta and Edo states,” he said.
He commended President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, for the intervention and urged the Federal Government and contractors to expedite the work.
“We look forward to seeing the work commence in earnest and to having this important road restored to a standard that will ease the movement of people and goods, revive commercial activities and improve the economic fortunes of our people,” Aniagwu said.
The commissioner also highlighted Delta’s collaboration with the Federal Government on federal roads, citing the state’s intervention on the Warri-Sapele Road, where it constructed the section from the U-turn at the Spare Parts Market to Ohore Junction with concrete rigid pavement.
He said Delta would continue to support efforts to address critical infrastructure challenges and commended Umahi for the intervention on the First Niger Bridge, expressing optimism about its reopening after major rehabilitation works.
Speaking at the event, Umahi said the emergency rehabilitation was not awarded as a conventional contract but involved the deployment of equipment hired from contractors operating along the corridor, including Hi-Tech, CCECC and CBC.
He said the temporary intervention was expected to restore the road within four weeks, while President Tinubu had directed the redesign of the entire 136-kilometre Benin-Asaba dual carriageway with reinforced concrete pavement for long-term reconstruction.
Umahi said the Federal Government had offered the concessionaire three options to continue with the project, but the options failed, prompting the ministry to intervene in the public interest.
He also alleged that the concessionaire lacked the engineering and financial capacity to execute the project and had breached provisions of the concession agreement.
According to him, the emergency works would commence from the Edo axis, with particular attention to the Benin Bypass, while supervising engineers would be deployed to different sections to monitor the work and ensure compliance with standards.
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, thanked President Tinubu for ordering the intervention and urged those handling the project to ensure quality, adherence to specifications and timely completion.
The Benin-Asaba Road, a major transportation corridor linking the South-South and South-East with other parts of the country, has suffered failed sections and severe gridlock in recent months, disrupting the movement of people and goods.
The emergency intervention is expected to provide immediate relief to motorists while the planned redesign and long-term reconstruction of the corridor proceeds.
Delta State has commenced the compilation of its first State-Based Consumer Price Index (CPI), with the Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr Sonny Ekedayen, describing the exercise as a major step towards strengthening the state’s statistical system and improving evidence-based economic planning.
Ekedayen stated this on Tuesday while declaring open a five-day training workshop on the compilation of the Delta State 2026 Consumer Price Index, held at the Professor Chike Edozien Secretariat, Asaba.
The workshop, which runs from September 22 to 26, is being organised in collaboration with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), whose officials are facilitating the technical sessions.
The commissioner said the commencement of the state-based CPI compilation demonstrated Delta State’s commitment to building institutional capacity, strengthening its data systems and ensuring that statistics generated by the state met professional and internationally recognised standards.
He said the exercise was particularly important because reliable statistical information was essential to effective economic planning and policymaking.
According to him, the CPI should not be regarded merely as a statistical figure, but as a vital economic indicator that measures changes in the general price levels of goods and services consumed by households.
He said the data generated through the CPI would be useful in measuring and monitoring inflation, informing monetary and fiscal policy decisions, adjusting wages and pensions, analysing poverty and welfare, as well as strengthening national and sub-national planning and budgeting.
“Without accurate CPI data, our planning would be built on weak foundations,” Ekedayen said.
The commissioner urged the participants to approach the exercise with professionalism, accuracy and a strong sense of responsibility, stressing that the quality of the state’s economic decisions would depend largely on the quality of the data generated.
He said the training was designed to refresh and deepen participants’ understanding of CPI concepts and methodology, strengthen their data collection, processing and analytical skills, and equip them to address emerging challenges in price statistics.
Ekedayen also said the exercise would enable Delta to align its price statistics with international best practices and standards promoted by organisations including the International Labour Organisation (ILO), International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the United Nations.
The commissioner, who noted that the training came shortly after the validation exercise for the Delta State Statistical Year Book, said the two initiatives underscored the ministry’s commitment to developing a stronger and more reliable statistical architecture for the state.
He commended the National Bureau of Statistics for its technical support and the facilitators for contributing to the capacity-building initiative.
Among the NBS officials facilitating the workshop are Dr Emmanuel Abbah, Dr Calistius Ihemebiri and Mrs Bukola Babalola.
Ekedayen said the ongoing CPI exercise was particularly significant against the backdrop of prevailing concerns over inflation and the rising cost of living.
He noted that the current inflationary trend appeared to be moderating, adding that the development indicated the importance of sustained policy interventions aimed at improving economic conditions and the welfare of Nigerians.
The commissioner was accompanied at the event by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Planning, Mr Augustine Itawansa; the State Director of Statistics, Mrs Nkechi Maduemezia; directors and other senior officials of the ministry.
During the technical sessions, participants were taken through key aspects of CPI compilation, including conceptual issues and methodology, data collection processes, the Delta State expenditure CPI basket, questionnaire review and the use of the Kobo Collect application.
Other areas covered included calculation methodologies, the gathering of consumption-pattern data, derivation of item weights for Delta State and the appropriate treatment of missing items.
The participants, comprising statisticians and enumerators, also engaged the facilitators through questions and discussions, while sharing practical experiences and challenges in preparation for the commencement of field data collection.
The commissioner charged the participants to recognise their role as critical actors in the state’s statistical system, urging them to ensure that data collected during the exercise was accurate, consistent and professionally handled.
He expressed confidence that the training would contribute significantly to the successful compilation of Delta State’s first CPI and ultimately provide policymakers with more reliable data for economic planning and decision-making.
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Tuesday, said he has approved a new salary structure for academic staff of the four state-owned universities effective from August 2026, while that of non-academic staff and other tertiary institutions would take effect from September.
Oborevwori spoke in Asaba at the swearing-in of the newly appointed Auditor-General of the state, Mr Emasogbe Matthew Oghene, and the inauguration of the Governing Councils of the University of Delta, Agbor; Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba; and Southern Delta University, Ozoro.
He said the four state-owned universities now offer professional courses including medicine, law, nursing and accounting, adding that student enrolment had risen from about 50,000 in 2023 to more than 100,000 in 2026.
The enrolment figure has also been reported by the state government in recent education-sector briefings.
He further noted that the academic calendar of the universities had not been disrupted by staff strikes or student unrest in 17 years, describing the development as evidence of the state government’s commitment to stable academic activities.
Speaking further, he described the state as an emerging education hub in Nigeria, saying his administration is committed to repositioning the state-owned universities as centres of excellence and charged the newly inaugurated councils to pursue policies that would strengthen corporate governance, improve institutional efficiency and position the universities for sustainable growth.
He said the councils, as the highest policy-making bodies of the institutions, must ensure regular meetings, collective responsibility, transparency and accountability, while ensuring that the universities operated strictly in accordance with their enabling laws.
Oborevwori also tasked the councils to maintain zero tolerance for sexual harassment, examination malpractice, cultism, favouritism and corruption, urging them to apply disciplinary measures whenever rules were breached.
Saying that the state government would continue to support tertiary education within the limits of available resources, he said; “It is unrealistic and unsustainable for a university to rely solely on government funding”.
While urging the councils to devote substantial time and resources to marketing their institutions and attracting private-sector investments, he said his administration had continued to invest heavily in infrastructure and staff welfare. He disclosed that he had approved the construction of two hostels for each of the nine state-owned tertiary institutions, with each hostel designed to accommodate 480 students.
The governor charged the councils to build on the progress recorded and make the institutions more competitive nationally and internationally.
He charged the new Auditor-General of Delta State, Mr Emasogbe Matthew Oghene to discharge his duties with transparency, courage, professionalism and fairness, warning against political witch-hunting and deliberate cover-up.
Responding on behalf of the appointees, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Dennis Osadebay University, Prof. Patrick Muoboghare, thanked Governor Oborevwori for appointing him and other members of the councils.
Muoboghare called for the establishment of a Higher Education Endowment Fund to provide sustainable funding for tertiary institutions to enable them to compete favourably with their counterparts globally.
He also challenged eminent Deltans and Nigerians to partner with government by investing in student hostels, staff accommodation, lecture halls and faculty buildings, stressing that government alone could not provide all the infrastructure required to develop the universities.
The newly inaugurated councils comprise distinguished academics, professionals and public servants. Prof. Victor Peretomode chairs the University of Delta Governing Council, Prof. Patrick Muoboghare chairs that of Dennis Osadebay University, while Chief Godson Echegile chairs the Southern Delta University council. The three councils had been formally constituted by the state government in August.
The Delta State Head of Service, Dr (Mrs.) Mininim Oseji, has urged civil servants to prepare adequately for retirement, stressing that proper knowledge of pension procedures, documentation and post-service opportunities is essential for a smooth and dignified transition from active service.
Oseji spoke in Asaba while declaring open a pre-retirement training programme organised by the Office of the Head of Service for junior and middle-level officers across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the state, particularly those on Salary Grade Levels 01 to 12.
She said the programme was conceived to address the inadequate preparation and information gaps that often leave retiring officers facing avoidable delays, anxiety and hardship in accessing their pension and other retirement benefits.
According to her, retirement is often perceived negatively, with some workers viewing it as “the end of the road” and others as a period of inactivity, largely because they lack adequate information and preparation for life after active service.
Oseji said experience had shown that many retiring officers lacked sufficient knowledge of retirement procedures and pension documentation, a situation she said had contributed to misinformation, unnecessary delays and hardship among retirees.
She noted that the challenges could be more pronounced among junior and middle-level officers on Salary Grade Levels 01–12 because of their relatively modest earnings, particularly in the face of prevailing economic realities.
She said the training was therefore structured to provide participants with practical knowledge on retirement procedures, pension documentation, protection of entitlements and preparations for life after government service.
Oseji attributed the commencement of the programme to the support and approval of the state government, commending Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his commitment to the welfare of civil servants under the administration’s MORE agenda.
“A dream come true of this nature is only possible with the relevant approval,” she said.
The Head of Service thanked the governor “for listening to the plight of civil servants in the state” and for approving initiatives aimed at improving their welfare.
“His unwavering dedication to the welfare of civil servants is both inspiring and commendable. We are grateful, Sir,” she added.
Oseji congratulated the participants and urged them to take full advantage of the training, saying the knowledge acquired would help them navigate the transition from active service with greater confidence and preparedness.
She encouraged the participants to see retirement not as an end to their usefulness but as a transition into another phase of life that could provide opportunities for personal development and continued contribution to society.
The Head of Service also challenged the participants to share their knowledge and experience with younger officers, stressing that the benefits of the programme should extend beyond the individual participants to the broader civil service.
She said the initiative was aimed at promoting a culture of excellence, innovation and improved service delivery within the Delta State Civil Service.
The training featured presentations by experienced public servants and professionals on key issues relating to retirement, pension administration and the rights of retiring officers.
A session titled “Overview of Retirement Policy and Procedures,” delivered on behalf of retired Head of Service, Sir Okey Ofili, examined the meaning and types of retirement and provided guidance on relevant retirement procedures.
A retired Permanent Secretary, Chief Ben Okonta, spoke on “Common Challenges in Pension Administration and Possible Solutions,” focusing on some of the difficulties retirees encounter in accessing their benefits and possible measures for addressing administrative delays.
The Permanent Secretary, Delta State Ministry of Justice, Omamuzo Erebe (SAN), delivered a lecture on “Rights and Responsibilities of Retiring Officers.”
The presentation addressed the legal rights and responsibilities of officers as they approach retirement and during the process of exiting active service.
Another key session, “Verification of Service Records, Computation of Pensions and Gratuity,” was delivered by Pastor Godfrey Ofueneme.
The session highlighted the importance of accurate service records and provided participants with information on the verification process and computation of pension and gratuity entitlements.
The programme brought together resource persons, relevant government officials and junior and middle-level civil servants from various MDAs across Delta State.
The initiative represents an effort by the Office of the Head of Service to strengthen pre-retirement sensitisation and ensure that officers, particularly those on Salary Grade Levels 01–12, are better informed and adequately prepared for a smooth, informed and dignified transition from active government service.
Oseji formally declared the training open and urged participants to maximise the opportunity.
The defection of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori from the PDP to the APC was no more just a headline. It was the lid coming off a pot that had been simmering for 25 years. The man with the ladle crossed the floor, and Delta State crossed the line with him. The only honest truth for 2027 is that the state under Governor Sheriff will make its defection true at the polls, thus severing the 25 year long reign on the PDP. The statement it affirms is that, it is not the party, but the people in the party.
A governor without the support of his Senators is like a cook without firewood. He can add seasoning to the soup, but he can’t keep it simmering. That’s why the next election isn’t just for one seat, one district. That’s a matter of coherence. And in 2027, there is only one name for coherence, an APC Clean sweep of the Governorship and the three Senatorial districts.
The just concluded primaries provided evidence that the realignment is real, not merely rhetorical; Deltans didn’t sit on the sidelines, they voted peacefully. A fact worth stating loudly is that, in a state whose electoral history has known the smell of smoke, Governor Oborevwori and his Deputy, Monday Onyeme, voted and lauded the conduct as there was no smoke anywhere. This is the sound of a party providing leadership on how to do it correctly.
APC which once had been dismissed as a far-off challenger in Delta provides a new rhetoric; in Delta South, Senator Joel-Onowakpo emerged victorious, Sen. Dafinone beat the mighty Omo-Agege in Delta Central (a result unthinkable two cycles back, and a sign that the party is no longer anybody’s personal fiefdom) and in the Delta North, the people produced its own shockwave as the immediate past governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, floored the incumbent senator, Ned Nwoko. This is the definition of three districts, three decisions, one direction.
Read that again: the current governor and the immediate past governor now stand in the same kitchen cooking from the same menu. In any community that still cares, when both men who have held the ladle since 2015 agree that Delta’s future lies with the APC, the argument is over. This is not a handful of aggrieved politicians crossing the aisle. This is the whole recent leadership of the state arriving at the same conclusion simultaneously.
The strategic case for a sweep in the next election is not complex. This is because a split Delta made up of APC governor in the middle of opposition senators, is a recipe for gridlock. Budgets get stuck in committees. Nominations dead in chamber. The creeks of the south, the highlands of the central and the plains of the north pull in different directions. We must understand that Government is a negotiation with itself. As Deltans we know that feeling all too well after the PDP’s quarter-century: a state rich in oil and poor in delivery, throwing the same pot with the same hand as communities waited for their portion.
It’s is a clean sweep that can change that geometry. It gives the governor senators who agree with his agenda, districts that agree with his argument, and a state that can finally move in one direction. It makes the three senatorial zones partners, not battle grounds. It’s the difference between three cooks fighting over one stove and one kitchen working from one menu.
The critics will caution against one-party dominance. It’s a fair warning, and Delta’s heard it before, always from the party that was doing the dominating. But dominance is only bad when it is undeserved. The APC in Delta is not inheriting power, it is building it, primary by primary, defection by defection. And a party that has to fight to win each seat is a party that has to deliver to keep them. A sweep does not end competition; it moves inside the tent, into primaries, into accountability, into the bruising business of keeping promises.
There is also a deeper symbolism to it, and Deltans feel it even if they can’t name it.
For twenty-five years, the Ukodo of Delta politics has remained in the kitchen of the same family. The Governor’s defection was not a betrayal of that kitchen, it was a refusal to let the meal burn. When the cook changes parties the pot does not go cold it gets a fresh fire. A full APC victory in 2027 will not be the end of Delta’s healthy diversity. It would be the sustainability of its oneness. Urhobo, Ijaw, Itsekiri, Isoko and Anioma no longer rationing their portions by who controls the ladle, but sitting together at a table they all helped to set.
The alternative is the half-measure, and the half-measure is what Delta has already gone through. A state that elects an APC governor and then gives two of its three senate seats to a party licking the wounds of defection is a state voting against itself. It’s like lighting a pot on fire and then placing it in a draft. It is equivalet to making a road from Asaba and stopping it in a bush.
2027 is therefore not a referendum of the party. It is a referendum on direction.” The primaries are finished. The defections have spoken volumes. The only message left to send is the one that finishes the sentence: Delta is no longer a PDP state waiting to be wrested away. Delta is an APC state learning to govern, and it needs all its hands on the same ladle. Every vote from every Deltan to the ballot of the different APC candidates is contributing to the
one pot, One party and one Delta. And that is the only way the broth feeds us all.
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has congratulated Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on the occasion of her 66th birth anniversary, describing her as a compassionate woman whose commitment to the welfare of vulnerable Nigerians remains commendable.
Governor Oborevwori in a congratulatory message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, in Asaba, joined Nigerians and well-wishers across the country in celebrating the First Lady on the milestone.
The governor commended Senator Tinubu for her support for her husband, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and her contributions to initiatives aimed at improving the lives of the downtrodden and less privileged in society.
He described her as an “Amazon” whose public engagements and humanitarian interventions had continued to complement the efforts of the Federal Government in addressing the needs of vulnerable citizens.
Oborevwori said the First Lady had demonstrated that public service was not only about occupying positions of authority but also about showing compassion and using influence to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
According to him, Senator Tinubu’s commitment to women, children, families and other vulnerable groups had earned her the goodwill and appreciation of Nigerians across different walks of life.
The governor said her experience as a former teacher, lawmaker and First Lady had positioned her to appreciate the challenges confronting families and communities, particularly those at the margins of society.
He acknowledged her advocacy for social welfare, empowerment and human capital development, noting that such interventions were important to building a more inclusive and equitable society.
Oborevwori said the First Lady had continued to support the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President through programmes and initiatives designed to provide opportunities and relief for Nigerians in need.
He added that her efforts in promoting the welfare of women and children were worthy of recognition, particularly at a time when governments at all levels were seeking practical ways to improve the living conditions of citizens.
The Delta governor commended Senator Tinubu for her resilience, dedication and service to the nation, saying her contributions had extended beyond the ceremonial responsibilities associated with the office of the First Lady.
He prayed God to grant her continued good health, wisdom and strength to enable her sustain her humanitarian engagements and other contributions to national development.
Oborevwori also wished the First Lady many more years of fulfilment and service, assuring her of the goodwill and prayers of the government and people of Delta State.
“On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, we celebrate an Amazon who has continued to support her beloved husband, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in making life meaningful for the downtrodden and less privileged in our society,” the governor said.
High Chief Don P. Ojemen (MFR), A stalwart of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Edo State.
By ENITAN ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA, mnipr
A frontline leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Edo State, High Chief Don P. Ojemen (MFR), has condemned alleged attempts to intimidate opposition supporters and business owners in Esanland, warning that the people of the area would not be cowed by what he described as “imposed political thugs” and threats of political violence.
Ojemen, who is the Okodalo of Esanland and Leader of the NDC State Elders Caucus, made the statement while reacting to an alleged threat by the Chairman of Esan West Local Government Area, Blessing Albert Ebhodaghe, to demolish a hotel in Ekpoma allegedly because the premises were used to host a political meeting by members of the NDC.
According to Ojemen, the alleged incident represents a disturbing assault on freedom of association, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression, which he described as fundamental pillars of democracy.
He alleged that a leaked audio recording contained remarks by the council chairman threatening to take action against businesses that provide venues for opposition political activities.
Ojemen said such conduct, if established, was unacceptable in a constitutional democracy, insisting that political disagreements should be settled through persuasion, debate and the ballot box rather than intimidation.
“We must call this exactly what it is: the desperate flailing of an illegitimate local leadership,” Ojemen declared.
He further alleged that the current local government chairmen in Edo State did not emerge through a process that reflected the genuine will of the electorate, describing the July 2026 local government elections as a “discredited” process.
However, the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) said the July 11, 2026 election was conducted in accordance with the Edo State Local Government Electoral Law and relevant electoral regulations.
The commission subsequently declared candidates of the All Progressives Congress winners of all 18 chairmanship positions and 192 councillorship seats in the state.
Ojemen maintained that a leadership whose legitimacy was questioned by sections of the opposition could not resort to intimidation to suppress political participation.
“When leaders are selected rather than elected, they rule by coercion because they lack the mandate of the masses,” he said.
The Esan elder also warned against what he described as the growing culture of political intolerance in the state, arguing that elected public officials were custodians of public authority and not owners of the communities they govern.
“No individual, regardless of their transient political office, owns Esan land or Edo State,” he said.
“The Nigerian Constitution reigns supreme over the whims of any local government chairman or state governor. We demand an immediate halt to these primitive threats against business owners, commercial operators and political opponents in Ekpoma and beyond.”
Ojemen’s comments also drew attention to a controversy involving Governor Monday Okpebholo and NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi in 2025.
In July 2025, Okpebholo warned Obi not to visit Edo State without notifying him or obtaining security clearance, after Obi had visited Benin City.
The governor linked the visit to a subsequent resurgence of violence and deaths in the state.
The governor subsequently said his remarks were about security protocols rather than a threat, insisting that, as the state’s chief security officer, he had a responsibility to protect residents and visitors.
Ojemen, however, argued that such statements could have wider implications for political participation if interpreted by supporters at the grassroots as a licence for intimidation.
“When a state governor threatens the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of movement of a foremost national leader, it emboldens grassroots enforcers to act as tin-pot dictators in our local governments,” he said.
The NDC chieftain also linked the Esan West controversy to recent political tensions involving Obi and the NDC in other parts of the country.
He cited the September 2026 incident in Benue State, where Obi’s convoy was reportedly blocked while he was attempting to travel to Yelewata to sympathise with victims of previous violence.
The NDC described the incident as an attack and obstruction by suspected political thugs, while the Benue State Government denied involvement and rejected the allegation that government-linked individuals blocked Obi’s movement.
High Chief Don P. Ojemen (MFR), A stalwart of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Edo State.
Ojemen said the incidents should concern Nigerians because, in his view, political competition must not degenerate into physical confrontation or restrictions on citizens’ participation in political activities.
He warned political actors against creating an atmosphere in which supporters of opposing parties would feel unsafe attending meetings, hosting political gatherings or expressing their views.
Ojemen, who described the Esan people as “dogged, resolute and deeply principled,” said the people of the area would resist any attempt to intimidate them politically.
“The Esan people are not a conquered people, and we will not be subjugated in our own land,” he said.
He nevertheless cautioned against actions capable of provoking confrontation, saying political actors should avoid conduct that could trigger unnecessary conflict.
“If this provocative conduct continues, it will predictably invite fierce resistance and retaliation from a populace that has been pushed to the wall,” he warned.
He stressed that the appropriate arena for political contest was the ballot box and not coercion, threats or violence.
“The 2027 elections will be decided by the ballot, not by bulldozers and bullets,” Ojemen declared.
The NDC elder called on the state government and local government authorities to respect citizens’ constitutional rights and ensure that businesses and individuals were not punished for associating with opposition political parties.
In a particularly forceful closing warning, Ojemen said he would continue to speak against what he described as attacks on the dignity and political rights of the Esan people.
“All these rascals need to be cautioned. The Esans are not cowards,” he said.
“As Okodalo of Esanland, I fight for the dignity of our people, who are not being served by this failed APC government. NDC Esan Senatorial Zone will not bow to imposed caps, city-boy intimidation or state-sanctioned violence.
He urged political leaders across party lines to de-escalate tensions and allow opposition parties to organise freely ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Let them not set a fire that will consume.” Ojemen warned.
Ojemen said political power was ultimately subject to the will of the electorate, adding that no political office holder should mistake temporary authority for ownership of the people or their communities.
His remarks come against the backdrop of increasing political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections, with parties and political movements intensifying grassroots activities across Edo and other parts of the country.
End
High Chief Don P. Ojemen (MFR), A stalwart of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Edo State.
