In a powerful display of political solidarity that reverberated across Delta State, leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Delta Central Senatorial District gathered on Sunday at the prestigious Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Conference Centre in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area. The high-profile strategic meeting, attended by top government functionaries, party chieftains, elders, executives, and grassroots mobilisers, served as a clarion call for unalloyed loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori as the party gears up for the crucial 2027 general elections.
The atmosphere at the PTI venue was charged with enthusiasm and purpose, as participants from the eight local government areas that make up Delta Central—Ethiope East, Ethiope West, Okpe, Sapele, Udu, Ughelli North, Ughelli South, and Uvwie—converged to chart a unified path forward. The meeting was not merely ceremonial; it was a deliberate effort to fortify the party’s organisational machinery, foster internal discipline, and ensure seamless collaboration between federal and state-level APC structures. Discussions delved deeply into strategies for strengthening grassroots mobilisation, resolving lingering internal disputes, and preparing the party for what many described as a watershed moment in Nigeria’s political landscape.
The highlight of the gathering came when a motion for an unequivocal pledge of loyalty to President Tinubu and Governor Oborevwori was moved and enthusiastically adopted. Leading the charge was the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Olorogun Festus Keyamo, SAN, a prominent Urhobo son and one of the most influential voices in the administration. Seconding the motion was Chief Andrew Oru, a respected elder statesman in Delta APC circles.
The meeting, which lasted several hours, focused on reviewing the current political landscape in Delta State, addressing internal challenges, consolidating the ongoing integration of the two hitherto parallel party structures, and charting a clear roadmap for a more united, cohesive, and election-ready APC in the zone.
Speaking at the well-attended event, the Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Senator Ede Dafinone, expressed satisfaction with the smooth and respectful manner in which the merger of the two structures is progressing. He commended members for placing the overall interest of the party above personal or factional considerations.
“The integration process we are witnessing today is anchored on mutual respect, genuine reconciliation, and an unshakeable commitment to rebuild a bigger, stronger, and truly inclusive APC family in Delta Central,” Senator Dafinone stated. “What we are doing is not just about merging structures; it is about merging hearts, forging a common vision, and repositioning our great party to win elections convincingly and deliver democratic dividends to our people.”
The Senator called on every stakeholder – from ward executives to state-level leaders – to actively participate in the rebuilding process, warning that the APC cannot afford the luxury of division at a time when the people of Delta State are yearning for purposeful opposition and credible alternative leadership.
He reaffirmed his personal commitment, as the only APC Senator from Delta State, to continue providing selfless leadership that fosters unity, deepens collaboration, and strengthens the party at all levels. “My doors remain open 24/7. I am here to serve, to unite, and to ensure that together we take Delta Central APC to greater heights and secure resounding victories in all forthcoming elections,” he assured.
The meeting also featured goodwill messages from prominent party elders and leaders who praised the mature and statesmanlike manner in which the integration process is being handled. They pledged total loyalty to the new unified structure and urged all members to close ranks and work as one indivisible family.
Today’s stakeholders’ forum has been widely described as a watershed moment in the political history of Delta Central APC, signalling the final burial of old divisions and the emergence of a reinvigorated platform ready to challenge the status quo and offer Deltans progressive, people-centred governance in the nearest future.
With the 2027 general elections already on the horizon, the outcome of today’s meeting is expected to inject fresh energy into the APC in Delta Central and position the party as a formidable force in the state’s political equation.
In his impassioned address, Keyamo lauded President Tinubu for what he described as “remarkable and courageous strides” in tackling Nigeria’s longstanding security challenges and stabilising the economy. “Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria is beginning to witness tangible improvements in security across various regions of the country,” Keyamo declared, crediting the President’s renewed vigour and strategic directives to the armed forces and security agencies. He noted that the days of rampant banditry, insurgency, and kidnapping appearing insurmountable were gradually giving way to a more secure nation, thanks to the administration’s focused approach.
Turning to state governance, the minister showered encomiums on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, describing his infrastructural revolution as “unparalleled in the history of Delta State.” Keyamo highlighted landmark projects cutting across road networks, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and urban renewal initiatives, asserting that the governor’s M.O.R.E agenda was delivering dividends of democracy in a manner that had won the hearts of Deltans across party lines.
As the APC prepares for its ward, local government, and state congresses, Keyamo issued a stern warning to ambitious aspirants eyeing various positions in 2027. “No one will pick the party’s ticket from Abuja without the full endorsement and blessing of grassroots leaders and structures here in Delta Central,” he stressed. He emphasised that loyalty to the party’s hierarchy, respect for established protocols, and internal democratic processes were sacrosanct. “We must remain steadfast, united, and disciplined. Division will only play into the hands of our opponents,” he cautioned.
Echoing similar sentiments, the Delta State APC Chairman, Elder Omeni Sobotie, reflected on the historic political realignment that saw many Urhobo leaders and followers migrate from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC fold. He described the shift as a strategic masterstroke that had repositioned Delta Central as the undisputed “engine room” of the APC in the state. Sobotie urged members to deepen genuine grassroots engagement, involve respected elders in decision-making, and remain resilient in the face of anticipated political attacks from rival camps. “With the calibre of leaders we have and the support we enjoy from President Tinubu and Governor Oborevwori, a landslide victory in 2027 is not just possible—it is assured,” he proclaimed confidently.
The Chairman of Delta Central APC, Chief Paulinus Akpeki, delivered one of the most pointed addresses of the day, pulling no punches in his condemnation of indiscipline and factionalism. “One of the major challenges confronting us today is indiscipline among some members, particularly at the ward and local government executive levels,” Akpeki lamented. He categorically declared that the APC in Delta State has only one recognised leader: “His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, the Executive Governor of Delta State. This is not open to debate or negotiation. Any parallel loyalty or factional structure is unacceptable and will be dealt with decisively.”
To institutionalise unity and accountability, Chief Akpeki unveiled far-reaching reforms. These include mandatory monthly senatorial district meetings that will rotate among the eight local government areas, ensuring inclusiveness and broader participation. He also announced the immediate constitution of a Delta Central APC Caucus Committee, a high-powered body comprising seasoned politicians and technocrats. The committee’s mandate will encompass strategic political planning, swift conflict resolution, aggressive membership mobilisation, and continuous performance monitoring of party officials at all levels.
“Our mission is too important, and the stakes in 2027 are too high for us to tolerate indiscipline or division,” Akpeki thundered. “Delta Central APC must function as one indivisible family—with one structure, one leadership, one direction, and one overriding objective: total victory in 2027.”
Other prominent voices lent their weight to the unity campaign. Senator Ede Dafinone, representing Delta Central in the National Assembly, urged members to close ranks and present a formidable front. Hon. Francis Ejiroghene Waive, Member of the House of Representatives for Ughelli North/South/Udu Federal Constituency, called for sacrifice and collective commitment. Executive Director of NEXIM Bank, Stella Okotete; Chief Solomon Igrakpata; and Chief Andrew Oru all spoke passionately about the imperative of unity, discipline, and loyalty as non-negotiable ingredients for electoral success.
Local government chairmen of the party present at the meeting rose in unison to pledge their unalloyed commitment to delivering bloc votes for President Tinubu’s re-election, Governor Oborevwori’s continued leadership, and every APC candidate contesting in 2027, from the presidency down to state assembly positions.
As the meeting drew to a close amid thunderous applause and chants of solidarity, the leadership collectively reaffirmed their resolve to transform Delta Central APC into a disciplined, cohesive, and unstoppable political machine. The gathering sent an unmistakable message to political opponents across the state: the Urhobo political bloc, under the APC banner and firmly behind President Tinubu and Governor Oborevwori, is battle-ready and poised for sweeping victories come 2027.
With the reforms announced, the public pledge of loyalty, and the palpable enthusiasm on display, Sunday’s strategic meeting at PTI Effurun will be remembered as a pivotal turning point in the resurgence of the All Progressives Congress in Delta State—a resounding declaration that unity and discipline will propel the party to unprecedented heights in the forthcoming electoral contest.
