Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Traders and Independent Workers Association (ONTIWA), Delta State chapter, has thrown its weight behind the second-term ambition of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
The group, led by its state Chairman, Deacon Samuel Okoye, disclosed this when its members visited Governor Oborevwori at his Osubi country home in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State on Thursday.
Key Highlights
- ONTIWA, Delta chapter, endorses President Tinubu and Governor Oborevwori for second terms in 2027.
- Members donated two branded campaign vehicles and pledged a total of N25 million to the campaign.
- A member also offered a hotel wing to accommodate campaign officials and visitors.
- The group says it has begun grassroots mobilisation, urging members to look beyond ethnic considerations.
- Oborevwori says his move to the APC was to strengthen Delta’s ties with the federal government.
The association, while declaring its support for the governor and President Tinubu, said the decision was based on what it described as Oborevwori’s performance in office, accessibility and commitment to the development of Delta State.
Campaign Vehicles, N25m Donated
As part of its support for the 2027 campaigns, two members of the group presented two branded campaign vehicles to the governor, along with financial and logistical contributions to his re-election bid.
According to Okoye, one of the members, Chief Okwudiri Ugochukwu, donated a campaign vehicle and N5 million, while Chief Odinakachukwu Mgbenobi donated a vehicle and N10 million.
Mgbenobi also offered a wing of his hotel to accommodate campaign officials and visitors who may come into the state during the campaign. Another member, Prof. Sebastian Onu, pledged N10 million.
Okoye said members of the association have commenced grassroots mobilisation, adding that the group’s campaign would focus on educating and sensitising members on the need to support what they described as the overall interest of Delta State and Nigeria, rather than allowing ethnic considerations to determine their political choices.
He said the association is convinced that the political support for Oborevwori and Tinubu is in the broader interest of the people, saying: “This is not just about tribal influence. It is about the good and general interest of the entire state.
“We have gone back to our people and are educating and sensitising them. We are telling them that this is about development and the overall interest of our people.”
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‘Before I Moved Into APC, I Thought About You’
Governor Oborevwori expressed appreciation to the association, saying the gesture is a demonstration of the strong relationship between his administration and the Igbo business community in Delta State.
Oborevwori said his decision to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) was informed by the need to strengthen the relationship between Delta State and the federal government for the benefit of the people.
He urged the traders and other supporters to reciprocate his political move by supporting him and President Tinubu in the 2027 elections, adding: “If you love me, when the election comes, you must support me and Mr. President. It is not about me alone; it is about the overall interest of our people.
“Before I moved into APC, I thought about you. I thought about our relationship and the need to work together to move Delta forward.”
Oborevwori, who recalled his long-standing relationship with members of the business community, said his background as a private-sector operator enabled him to understand the challenges faced by traders and entrepreneurs.
According to him, he had patronised and interacted with traders long before he became a public office holder, stressing that his relationship with the business community was not politically motivated.
He said: “I am different from others because I came from the private sector. I have not worked in any office before. I understand the business environment and I have patronised you all.”
The governor commended members of the association for their confidence in his administration and assured them that the government would continue to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
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