Dejavu on The Southerner Newspaper
Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Initially, there were concerns from certain quarters about Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s commitment to the welfare of the people of Delta North Senatorial District. The apprehension became more heightened after it was announced that the Governor had given approval for the construction of three major flyovers in the Warri/Uvwieq axis.

Some leaders from Delta North were visibly agitated giving the fact that the Senatorial District voted massively for Oborevwori in the 2023 gubernatorial election. It was also the zone which did not oppose the choice Oborevwori as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in that election.

The fears were not totally misplaced as most of the past governors of the state tended to have concentrated development more in their own Senatorial Districts, especially the local governments where they came from. It seemed like an unwritten code that a sitting governor must focus more on his people and develop their place of origin.

But stakeholders from Delta North felt that Oborevwori should be different from his predecessors. After all, he made a vow on May 29, 2023 when he was sworn in to be the governor for all. “So, why was the man focused on Warri alone and making other parts of the state inferior?” It was a question they asked repeatedly, even though in hushed tones.

However, that narrative seemed to have changed since Oborevwori took over office more than two years ago. Not only has the Governor cleared the doubts of the Thomases among us, his imprints are all over the state, including Delta North. There is no local government in the state that does not have a signature project to herald the Governor’s significant milestones.

Criticisms that the Governor had abandoned Delta North have since been replaced by unsolicited accolades. And there’s no sector exempted from the open praise for Oborevwori. Chants of “Na our Papa be this o” rent the air each time the Delta helmsman shows up in public. There’s no doubt that the Anioma people truly love Sheriff!

Today, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s, the immediate past speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and the longest to have occupancy that position, has transfer Delta North to a construction armada and a dazzle to both critics and supporters alike. Not many were hopeful that he would do much within such a short period.

Three projects have set Oborevwori’s administration from that of his predecessors, apart from several others inherited which have been completely and commissioned. They are legacy projects that even the blind talk about on a daily basis.

Definitely, the Governor’s decision to embark on the Asaba waterfront project has opened up a new vista in the state capital. Consisting on massive sand filling, erection of embarkments along the banks of the River Niger and construction of a six lane road, the waterfront project has become the toast of realtors who now compare the area to the famous Eko Atlantic City in Lagos.

The storm drainage and expansion of both Summit and Nnebisi Roads, which are also ongoing gave been described as the audacious project embarked by any administration since the creation of Delta State aimed at transforming Asaba, the state capital into a modern metropolis.

Of course, many people are amazed that the Governor did not hesitate in awarding and performing the ground breaking ceremony for the N21.3Bn Ugbolu-, Okpanam Road spanning almost 12 kilometers. Coming after the commissioning of the Okpanam-Ibusa bypass also by Oborevwori, this new road is a testament of an abiding commitment to do more for the people.

The recent groundbreaking for the establishment of the Kwale Industrial Free Trade Zone, couples with the release of billions of naira for the takeoff of the project, clearly indicates how how much the governor cherishes the massive votes from Delta North.

Indeed, Oborevwori demonstrated immense love for the people by hastily completing the 169 kilometers Asaba-Ughelli highway less than two years after assuming office. Motorists plying the highway, especially the spectacular Uburu bridge in Ogwashi-uku, are forever grateful to the Governor for a fantastic job done.

Following persistent public power outage in three local governments of Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West and Ukwani, Rt Hon Oborevwori has commenced the process of restoring electricity to the area. More so in view of the decentralization of the Electricity Act which permits state governments to have and run independent power grids.

However, in Agbor and environs, made up of Ika South and Ika North East, two projects are outstanding, apart from several road projects that are in various stages of completion. They are the storm water drainage project and the flyover soon to commence at the Uromi Junction on the ever busy Benin-Onitsha highway. That junction had been a black spot for fatal accidents for years. It is expected that when completed, the bridge will put an end to the avoidable carnage on that section of the road.

It must be stated that the projects listed do not include money already voted and deployed in the nine local governments in Delta North Senatorial District. Oborevwori had allocated at least N2 Billion for projects in each of the 25 LGAs in the state. The amount is contained in the 2025 budget estimates, which have seen all parts of the state transformed into a huge construction site.

Evidently, the Governor has confounded naysayers and made a mess of their cynicism. For the people of Delta North, Oborevwori has demonstrated uncommon zeal to deliver on his election promises. He has more than a year to prove his mettle further.

No wonder the immediate past Governor of the state, Senator Arthur Okowa could not hold back emotions in a public gathering recently. Okowa expressed joy that he listened to the voice of God in accepting Oborevwori as a worthy successor to be the Governor of Delta State.

Notable traditional rulers, including the Asagba of Asaba, Prof Epiphany Azinge, politicians like Senators Ned Nwoko and Peter Nwaoboshi, clerics and other prominent leaders from Delta North have all spoken in praise of Oborevwori. While express optimism that more projects are on the way, these known Anioma sons have all given kudos to the Governor. It is a vote of confidence in what the man has done in almost two and half years in office.