.

Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, has dismissed concerns that Nigeria is slipping into a one-party state following the mass defection of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).  Speaking during an interview on TVC News, Aniagwu explained that the defection of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and members of the Delta PDP to the APC was not from a position of weakness, but from a position of strength.  He likened remaining in the PDP to a brilliant student stuck in a department without accreditation from relevant regulatory bodies.  “Some individuals have expressed fears that Nigeria may be drifting towards a one-party system. That’s not going to happen,” Aniagwu said.  “For several reasons, Nigeria will not become a one-party state. Even as we find ourselves in the APC today, there are people who, over time, may align with other interests or political beliefs. Politics...

The Sacred Heart Catholic Cathedral in Warri was the site of a solemn and emotional farewell on Wednesday as the remains of the late Professor Amos Utuama, SAN, former Deputy Governor of Delta State, were laid to rest.  The funeral service attracted a host of dignitaries from across the state and beyond, including Governor Sheriff Oborevwori; former Governors Chief James Ibori and Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa; Senator Ede Dafinone (Delta Central); Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas (Delta South); Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, as well as senior legal professionals, clergy, and top government functionaries.  In his tribute, Governor Oborevwori described Professor Utuama as an illustrious Deltan and elder statesman whose life was marked by service, integrity, and intellectual brilliance.  He recalled Utuama’s years of public service as Attorney General, Commissioner for Justice, and later as Deputy Governor, lauding his commitment to good governance and th...

Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, has attributed the mass movement of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and all members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the persistent internal crisis within the PDP’s National Working Committee.  Speaking on Day Break on Arise TV on Tuesday, Aniagwu lamented that unresolved leadership tussles, lack of cohesion, and a plethora of litigations within the PDP significantly contributed to the migration of Deltans to the ruling APC.  He stressed that the PDP, as currently constituted, can no longer meet the aspirations of the people of Delta State due to the ongoing turmoil within the party.  "Politics is about contesting elections, winning, and then governing the people. If you're in a situation where it's difficult to achieve those goals and continue the developmental trajectory, then it's important to make a decision," ...

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has expressed optimism that they would welcome former Governor James Ibori to the All Progressives Congress, APC.  Speaking during the vigil mass in honour of the former Deputy Governor of the state, Professor Amos Utuama, at St. Andrew's Catholic Church, Otu-Jeremi, Ughelli South Local Government Area on Tuesday, Oborevwori stressed the need for unity of the Urhobo political class.  Paying glowing tribute to the late Prof. Amos Utuama, the Governor highlighted his selfless contributions, saying; "I am very happy to be here today, seeing this large gathering for one man. The preaching today is not about the dead, it is about the living.  "There are many things he did while he was alive. I will mention just a few key ones. The land allocated to him in Asaba while he was Deputy Governor, he donated it to the Catholic Church and also contributed to building the church. To me, that is a kingdom investment."  Governor Obo...

- By Pius Mordi   From a peak of N465 billion, Delta State's debt profile has now dropped to N199.575 billion, the largest reduction among the 36 states, according to official data from the Debt Management Office (DMO). In effect, the state has repaid N265.425 billion under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori's watch. By the DMO figures, only about 42.79 percent of the debt is now left to be paid by the Governor. By March 2024, the DMO had listed Delta as cumulatively owing N465 billion. However, by July 2024, N130 billion had been paid, a product of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori's aggressive drive to wean the state from debt overhang, through a freeze in borrowings.  While offsetting existing loans with the increased allocation from the Federation Account as a result of the devaluation of the Naira against the United States Dollar, the balance of N199.575 billion as published for December 2025 by the DMO. In sum, the Governor has paid more than N266 billion of the N465 billion he in...

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has given hint of his possible defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), noting that the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was like a spoilt plane and may no longer has the capacity to take him to the next destination from 2027. Speaking against the backdrop of recent gale of defections from the PDP with the latest being the Delta State governor Sheriff Oborewori, who moved with several supporters to the APC, Pastor Eno hinted that the heavily fragmented PDP may soon grind to a halt. Addressing a mammoth crowd that thronged the Town Square meeting of the Ukanafun/Oruk Anam federal constituency on Tuesday at the QIC Central School, Ikot Akpankuk, headquarters of Ukanafun local government area, the governor disclosed that he might join the fray soon as the crucial 2027 election year inches closer. “If you wanted to travel with Ibom Airline, and on the verge of taking off, it developed a fault that won’t enable it to fly, won...

Elder Emma Ogidi, the South South Zonal Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has been directed to take charge of the party’s affairs in Delta state, following the seeming collapse of the Party, after the shock defection of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the entire state party structure to the All Progressives Congress, APC. The zonal leadership has been mandated to move into Delta immediately and take stock of all party assets and inventory. The move signals a strong push by the party to restore order and ensure accountability within its Delta chapter. This follows the Party's decision to put a temporary hold on constituting a state caretaker committee and the interim arrangement is to remain in place pending the constitution of a full caretaker committee to manage the affairs of the PDP in Delta State, ahead of the 2027 election. The directive was issued by the Acting National Chairman of the party, Ambassador Umar Damagum, at the end of the first Na...

In the past two months, Nigerians have seen two extremes in their national life. On the one hand, attacks and killings in Plateau and Benue states peaked in the past one month with over 180 people killed in the unchecked April attacks in more than 183 villages. In the past two weeks, the political class has been in celebratory mood with tales of states that have been captured or about to be captured without the rigours of elections. Make no mistake about it. The only thing that matters for politicians and rulers is the jostling for 2027. That more states are being captured now does not make governance take centre stage before the election.  In back-to-back attacks by cattle herders and their military killer bands, at least 56 people were killed in one night in Ukum and Logo local government areas of Benue state in what Governor Hyacinth Alia said was carried out "suspected herdsmen". The narrative is that competition over land use was the trigger.  After the recent killings o...

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in its regular meeting held today, Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at the Party’s National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, has approved all the recommendations from the PDP Governors’ Forum aimed at repositioning the Party for the 2027 general elections. Following extensive deliberations, the NWC endorsed the Governors’ Forum’s resolution to hold the Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on May 27, 2025, and to convene an early National Convention on August 28-30, 2025, in Kano.  The NWC also ratified the establishment of the Zoning Committee, chaired by H.E. Gov. Douye Diri, and the National Convention Committee, chaired by H.E. Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri, to address zoning of party offices and ensure a smooth convention process. In line with the Governors’ Forum’s recommendation and the Supreme Court judgment on the National Secretary position, the NWC has sacked Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secret...

Delta State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori and Senator Ifeanyi Okowa after the Governor was presented with the APC flag by the National Chairman of the Party, Alhaji Umar Ganduje on Monday at the formal defection ceremony of the Governor and others to the APC. They are flanked by Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo (left) and fellow APC governors at the Cenotaph, Asaba on Monday President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Monday, described the defection of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and the entire structure of Delta State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to the All Progressives Congress, APC as a political tsunami of unimaginable proportions. President Tinubu stated this while receiving Governor Oborevwori, immediate past Governor of the state, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and the entire membership of the PDP to the APC at the Cenotaph, Asaba. Represented by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, the President lauded Governor Oborevwori and Senator Okowa for the cord...

The Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme, FCA, on Sunday, gave reasons why the All Progressives Congress (APC) should be embraced by the people. Addressing members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC) and members of other political parties at the Nkwor Square, Onicha-Ukwuani, Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State, Sir Onyeme stated that political party is about the people. "As an individual, you all know me as Sir Monday Onyeme, as a member of the All Progressives Congress, you know that I will protect the interest of our people. "If we are in opposition political party, we will not be able to attract any  project to our people. "Since 1999, the PDP has been in the saddle of leadership of the state but political party is the vehicle for which we ensure good governance, attract democratic dividends to our people. "We used the PDP as a platform but since 2015, PDP lost out at the Federal Level, so, what is ...

Leaders in governance, academia, civil society, and media converged at Wetland Hotel, Ughelli, Delta State on Friday, April 25, 2025, to dissect the widening gap between politics and governance in Nigeria. The occasion was the second edition of the Advocate Publication Ltd Annual Lecture Series, with the theme: “Between Governance and Politics: The Delicate Balancing to Ensure Growth and Development.” Delivering the welcome address, Mr. Shedrack Onitsha, Chief Executive Officer of Advocate Publication Ltd, publishers of Advocate Newspaper, noted that the lecture series was borne out of a desire to trigger vital conversations about the nation’s development. “We are disturbed by a trend where the obsession with political survival overshadows the responsibility of governance. Officeholders get sworn in and immediately begin preparing for the next election,” he lamented. Onitsha stressed that Nigeria cannot progress when leaders treat governance as a secondary concern. “We must begin to in...

Through humility, service to the poor and fearless peace-building, Pope Francis sets a standard for political and religious leaders seeking authentic influence. When Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as Pope Francis on March 13, 2013, few could have predicted the profound impact he would have not only on the Catholic Church but also on the entire world. Over the past twelve years, Pope Francis has redefined the papacy with a focus on humility, compassion, and peace. His leadership offers rich lessons for world leaders today.From the very beginning of his pontificate, Pope Francis made it clear that he would prioritize the marginalized.  His choice of the name "Francis”, a name that reflects St. Francis of Assisi's humble ministry was an early signal of his mission. The name also recalls St. Francis Xavier, who co-founded the Jesuit order to which the pope belonged. He called for a "poor Church for the poor," and he lived this out through tireless advocacy for economi...

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has ordered  initiation of revocation proceedings for the abandoned Senate Building project of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka.  Governor Oborevwori, who gave the order in his remarks at the 17th convocation of the University in Abraka, said the revocation would enable the state government re-award it to a capable contractor and ensure swift completion.  The Governor's directive was in response to the Vice Chancellor Prof. Samuel Asagba's request to complete the Senate building, which has been abandoned for over 22 years.  The Governor directed the Commissioner for Higher Education, Professor Nyerowho Tonukari, to ensure the project was revoked to ensure prompt completion.  In line with the tradition of the university, Governor Oborevwori also approved automatic employment for the overall best graduating student of the university, Okwa Favour Oghenemine, a mathematics graduate from the Faculty of Science ...

In a momentous show of unity and purpose, PDP leaders and stakeholders of Aniocha North on Thursday, April 24, 2025, echoed one powerful declaration that now reverberates across Delta State: “Anywhere Sheriff goes, we follow!” The emergency meeting hosted at the Council Secretariat witnessed a unanimous vote of confidence in His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor of Delta State, and a firm reaffirmation of support to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership. This bold decision isn’t a defection, it’s a well-calculated alignment with the MORE Agenda and the vision of Renewed Hope projected till 2031. Among the prominent leaders present were the revered  Sir BSC Elue – Former Deputy Governor of Delta State; Chief Dame Patience Nkem Okwuofu – PDP BOT Member; Hon. Emma Chinye, Chairman, Aniocha North LGA; Hon. Engr. Emeka Nwaobi Majority Leader, Delta State House of Assembly; Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza,  Commissioner for Special Duties (Govt. House); Hon. Jaunty Okwudi – Fo...