Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the National Elective Convention of the All Progressives Congress, describing the gathering as a strong indication of the party’s growing strength and widening national acceptance.
The governor made the remarks while speaking to journalists at the convention held at Eagle Square on Friday night, according to a statement made available Online on Saturday. The event drew party leaders, elected officials, and thousands of delegates from across the country, serving as a major platform for the ruling party to consolidate its structure and prepare for future political contests.
Oborevwori, who formally defected to the APC in April 2025, said his decision to leave his former party and join the ruling party was already producing positive outcomes for the state. He noted that the move was strategic and aimed at aligning Delta State with the Federal Government in order to attract more development opportunities and improve governance delivery.
The governor recalled that the decision, which was taken on April 28, 2025, was bold at the time but necessary for the long-term interest of the state. According to him, the benefits of that political realignment are now becoming visible through improved access to federal resources, stronger collaboration with federal agencies, and enhanced development prospects for Delta State.
“I’m happy to be here today. That bold decision we took on April 28, 2025, is manifesting today. I was the first governor after the 2023 election to move into APC. That was done because we wanted to connect with the centre, and we have connected to the centre. Other state governors have also emulated the decision we took,” the governor said.
Political observers say Oborevwori’s defection marked a significant shift in the political landscape of Delta State, a state that had long been considered a stronghold of the opposition. His move to the APC was seen by many analysts as part of a broader realignment taking place across the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.
At the convention, party leaders emphasized unity, expansion, and consolidation, with several speakers noting that the APC was focused on strengthening its structures at the grassroots level while also attracting new members from across the country. The large turnout of delegates — reportedly numbering in the thousands — was also cited as evidence of the party’s continued dominance in national politics.
Oborevwori reiterated that his administration’s priority remains the development of Delta State, stressing that political alignment with the Federal Government does not diminish his commitment to the welfare of the people of the state. Instead, he said the alignment has made it easier for the state to partner with federal institutions on infrastructure, security, and economic development projects.
He explained that governance requires cooperation between different levels of government and that aligning politically with the centre often helps to fast-track critical projects and attract federal presence in key sectors such as roads, education, health, and job creation.
The governor also noted that beyond politics, his administration is focused on delivering tangible results to the people, adding that the benefits of the state’s alignment with the Federal Government would continue to unfold in the coming years.
As the APC moves forward after its National Elective Convention, political analysts believe the party will continue to position itself strongly for the 2027 elections, with recent defections and growing membership seen as signs of its expanding influence.
For Oborevwori, however, the focus remains on governance and development. He maintained that his decision to join the APC was driven by the desire to create more opportunities for Delta State and ensure that the state remains competitive in attracting federal projects and investments.
With the convention concluded and party structures strengthened, attention is now gradually shifting toward future political contests, policy implementation, and governance delivery — areas where Oborevwori says Delta State intends to remain actively engaged and strategically positioned within the national political framework.
