ABUJA — In a significant display of party confidence and political consolidation, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has successfully cleared the Executive Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to contest the 2027 gubernatorial election. The high-profile screening exercise, held at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja, concluded with the screening committee granting the Governor a prestigious "take a bow and go" privilege, effectively affirming his status as the party's consensus choice for the state.
The screening session was presided over by a high-powered committee led by the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda. The exercise, which is a mandatory procedural requirement under the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act, was designed to verify the eligibility, academic credentials, and party standing of aspirants seeking the APC ticket. However, for Governor Oborevwori, the session transitioned from a rigorous interrogation into a celebration of his administrative record over the past few years.
After a meticulous review of the Governor’s documentation and credentials, Professor Yilwatda noted that the committee found the Governor to be in full compliance with every constitutional and internal party requirement. The decision to ask the Governor to "take a bow" is a traditional parliamentary and political gesture in Nigeria reserved for individuals whose competence, service record, and integrity are deemed beyond reproach by the vetting body.
The committee’s endorsement serves as a formal validation of Governor Oborevwori’s bid for a second term in the 2027 Delta State governorship election. The "take a bow and go" signal effectively marks the end of any internal contest for the ticket, as party sources indicate that the Governor is likely to go into the primaries unopposed.
The internal consensus within the Delta State chapter of the APC and at the national level is largely attributed to what stakeholders describe as the "remarkable developmental strides" recorded under Oborevwori’s leadership. Since assuming office, the Governor has been credited with a massive infrastructure drive, particularly in the areas of road construction, bridge building, and urban renewal across the three senatorial districts of Delta State.
Beyond infrastructure, the Governor’s M.O.R.E. Agenda—focusing on Meaningful Development, Opportunities for all, Realistic Reforms, and Enhanced Peace and Security—has been cited by the APC leadership as a blueprint for grassroots governance. This performance-based endorsement is seen as a strategic move by the APC to maintain its grip on the oil-rich state by presenting a candidate with a proven track record of project delivery and social stability.
In his remarks following the screening, Professor Yilwatda emphasized that the party is focused on fielding candidates who have shown a deep commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda at the sub-national level. He noted that Governor Oborevwori’s documents were not only impeccable but that his work on the ground in Delta State spoke louder than the papers presented. The Chairman highlighted that the decision to expedite the screening process was a mark of respect for the Governor's office and his contributions to the party’s growth in the South-South region.
The atmosphere at the screening venue was filled with solidarity as various stakeholders from the Delta APC, including members of the State Working Committee and National Assembly representatives, accompanied the Governor to the session. The unanimous support for Oborevwori suggests a departure from the often-fractious primary battles that have historically characterized the state's political landscape.
Political analysts observe that by clearing Oborevwori to go unopposed, the APC is aiming to enter the 2027 general elections with a unified front, avoiding the internal divisions that often arise from contested primaries. This unity is considered critical for the party to navigate the complexities of Delta State politics, which remains a strategic prize in the Nigerian federation.
The Governor, on his part, expressed gratitude to the National Chairman and the screening committee for their professionalism and the confidence reposed in him. He reaffirmed his commitment to the party’s ideals and pledged to redouble his efforts in delivering the dividends of democracy to all Deltans. Oborevwori stated that the endorsement was not just a personal victory but a call to continue the transformation of the state’s economy and infrastructure.
With the screening process concluded and the "take a bow" directive issued, the focus now shifts to the formal primary election where the Governor is expected to be officially ratified as the party’s flagbearer. As the 2027 election cycle begins to take shape, the APC in Delta State appears to have successfully navigated its first major hurdle, settling its leadership question with a swift and decisive show of force in the nation’s capital.
