The Chief Strategist to the Delta State Governor, Dr. Festus Okubor (8th left), in a group photograph with the Coordinator, Coalition of Academics for Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Prof. Omo-Aghoja (7th left), Prof. Pius Ike (3rd left), Prof. Alexander Naiho (6th right), and other members of the Coalition shortly after a courtesy visit to the Chief Strategist in Asaba on Thursday. PHOTO: BRIPIN ENARUSAI
By Kayode Olopade
The Coalition of Academics has endorsed the re-election bid of Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, describing the administration’s performance in the last three years as a reflection of what it termed a new approach to governance in the state.
The coalition made its position known Thursday during a courtesy visit to the Chief Strategist to the Governor, Dr. Festus Okubor, in Asaba, where it presented its vision, mission and programmes ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Coordinator of the coalition, Prof. Lawrence Omo-Aghoja, said the group, comprising academics and professionals within and outside Nigeria, was established to provide intellectual support for the administration and undertake objective assessments of its policies and programmes.
According to him, the coalition intends to deploy research, public advocacy, workshops, media engagements and other platforms to examine and communicate the administration’s achievements.
Omo-Aghoja said members of the coalition in the diaspora had also expressed interest in joining the initiative, following what they described as the emerging governance model in Delta.
He said the group would focus on identifying indicators of good governance, providing evidence-based recommendations on public policies and mobilising intellectual and professional support for the administration’s 2027 campaign.
The coordinator said the coalition would also collaborate with relevant government institutions and stakeholders to provide what he described as “robust intellectual embellishment” to the administration’s policy agenda.
He commended Oborevwori for his commitment to the MORE Agenda, arguing that the administration had translated a number of its policy commitments into programmes and projects across the state.
Omo-Aghoja also pointed to the governor’s experience at the grassroots, local government, legislature and executive levels, saying the exposure had given him a broader understanding of the needs of the people.
He argued that the current political and developmental trajectory in Delta should be sustained, stressing that continuity would enable the administration to consolidate projects and policies already initiated.
The coalition subsequently declared its support for Oborevwori’s re-election, with Omo-Aghoja stating: “In 2027, it is Sheriff or nobody.”
Responding, Okubor welcomed the coalition’s support, describing the growing involvement of academics and professionals in the governor’s re-election campaign as significant.
He said the 2027 governorship election would be difficult for opposition candidates to challenge Oborevwori effectively, given what he described as the governor’s performance in office.
Okubor described Oborevwori as a leader who had demonstrated professionalism, candour, compassion and grassroots understanding in the management of the state.
He said the governor had remained focused on “translating grassroots dreams into sustainable development,” adding that some of the projects being implemented across Delta were long-standing aspirations of communities in the state.
The governor’s chief strategist, however, stressed the importance of maintaining a constructive relationship between the state and the Federal Government, saying this would be necessary for Delta to attract continued support and consolidate ongoing development efforts.
He also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for implementing what he described as fundamental economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy and reforms in the foreign exchange market.
While acknowledging the difficulties occasioned by the reforms, Okubor argued that policy consistency and continuity were necessary for their long-term benefits to be realised.
He urged the coalition to use its intellectual and professional platforms to promote public understanding of the reforms and their implications for Nigerians and Deltans.
“We need him to go back to continue with his work. Then we also need the presidential candidate of his party to win for him to have enough leverage to do more for Delta State,” he said.
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