Chris Iyovwaye, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for the 2027 Delta State governorship election, has rejected the endorsement of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori by Urhobo traditional rulers. In a communiqué, the Ukoko R'Ivie R'Urhobo, a group of Urhobo traditional rulers, endorsed Oborevwori as the "sole candidate" of the Urhobo nation for the 2027 election. Iyovwaye responded, stating that traditional institutions cannot determine who becomes governor of the state.
Iyovwaye expressed respect for traditional rulers, acknowledging their right to offer counsel, but emphasized that they cannot exercise constitutional powers vested in voters. He noted that the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria grants the electorate the authority to elect the governor through a ballot box. An endorsement, regardless of its source, cannot supersede or extinguish Deltans' democratic right to choose their leaders, Iyovwaye said.
Iyovwaye urged Deltans to assess the performance of the Oborevwori administration before deciding who to support in the 2027 election. He suggested that issues such as job creation, industrial development, support for businesses, infrastructure, healthcare, education, and economic diversification should form the basis of voters' assessment of the government. This, he believes, will enable voters to make informed decisions.
The NDC candidate questioned the benefits of Oborevwori's decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC). Oborevwori had justified the move, citing improved access to federal resources. Iyovwaye asked if the political alignment had produced measurable benefits for the people of Delta State, emphasizing that governments should be judged by their policies and results, not their affiliations.
Iyovwaye acknowledged reported investments by the state government in roads, bridges, human capital development, and economic growth. However, he noted that the amount of government spending should not be equated with economic transformation. He cited the Delta State Government's 2026 budget proposal, which projected total expenditure of ₦1.664 trillion. Iyovwaye asked for measurable evidence of sustainable private-sector jobs created and new industries established.
The NDC candidate challenged the administration to provide clearer evidence of progress in healthcare and education, particularly in terms of their impact on residents. He also questioned whether Delta State was creating enough opportunities to retain its young population, noting that many young Deltans continue to relocate to other countries in search of better opportunities.
Iyovwaye stated that the 2027 election should provide voters with an opportunity to scrutinise the government's record and compare competing visions for the state, irrespective of endorsements by political or traditional institutions. He emphasized that voters should focus on the government's performance and policies rather than endorsements.
Key points
- Chris Iyovwaye rejects Urhobo monarchs' endorsement of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for 2027 election
- Iyovwaye emphasizes that traditional institutions cannot determine who becomes governor of the state
- The NDC candidate urges Deltans to assess the performance of the Oborevwori administration before making a decision in the 2027 election
