The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, has vowed to develop the Ijaw area of the state in an unprecedented way if elected as governor in the 2023 general election.

Oborevwori made the promise shortly after the people of Ijaw adopted him as their sole governorship candidate for the election.

The PDP gubernatorial candidate said he was humbled by the overwhelming endorsement, saying Ijaw people were the first to adopt him ahead of the 2023 governorship election in the state.

He reiterated that they would not be left out in his ‘M.O.R.E’ agenda.

“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.

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“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,” Oborevwori stated.

He further commended the 12 traditional rulers of Delta Ijaw extraction for their support and prayers, just as he lauded elders and political leaders of Ijaw for the organisation of the programme which he said witnessed who-is-who in Ijaw politics.

The people of Ijaw had at a ceremony held at the residence of former Minister of Police Affairs, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo, in Effurun unanimously endorsed Oborevwori as its sole gubernatorial candidate for the 2023 governorship election in Deta State.

Unveiling Oborevwori, who is also the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, the chairman of the ceremony, Peter Yerindideke Biakpara, said the decision was taken “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 as 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 include; Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Senator 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 Senatorial 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,” he stated.

On his part, Hon. Dagidi Andaye, said they were resolute in their decision to support all PDP candidates in the forthcoming general election.

The representatives of the Ijaw, who also spoke at the event, promised to work for the victory of all PDP candidates in the state.

The event was attended by PDP House of Representatives candidate, Hon. Julius Pondi; PDP Chairman, Delta South, Julius Takeme; and the Chairman, Delta Izon Okosu-Otu, Bare Etolor; amongst others.

The Star