The 2027 race for the Warri Federal Constituency seat is beginning to gather momentum, with National Democratic Party (NDP) candidate, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, PhD, taking his campaign of consultations to the palace of the Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III.
Mulade, the Ibe-Sorimowei of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, paid a courtesy visit to the monarch at the Olu Palace, Warri, on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Mulade said the visit was primarily to formally present his aspiration to the monarch and seek his royal blessing and support ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“I’m here to pay a courtesy call. I just finished meeting with His Royal Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse the Third and expressed my interest and intention to contest for the Warri Federal Constituency. I have come to seek his royal blessing,” he said.
According to the NDP candidate, the monarch granted what he described as his royal blessing, paving the way for him to proceed with consultations and engagements with other stakeholders across the constituency.
“By the grace of God Almighty, he has given us his royal blessings, and we are ready to engage stakeholders and his subjects around the Warri Federal Constituency. And that is the simple reason for my visit,” Mulade said.
He said his immediate objective was to secure the palace’s support and then take his message to other stakeholders in the constituency.
Mulade said he was particularly pleased with the visit because of his close ties to the Warri Kingdom, describing the palace as a place where he felt at home.
“Of course, I feel satisfied because this is my second home. I am from Gbaramatu Kingdom, and yesterday I was in the palace of His Royal Majesty, King Oboro-Gbaraun II, and today I’m here. This is my second home. I’m always comfortable when I meet with the monarch,” he said.
Mulade emerged as the NDP candidate for Warri Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 House of Representatives election.
The Warri Federal Constituency comprises Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo communities, and Mulade has previously spoken about the need for unity, peace and inclusive development among the different ethnic groups.
Wednesday’s palace visit consequently marks another stage in the NDP candidate’s pre-election consultations, as he moves from announcing his ambition to seeking engagement with traditional institutions and other stakeholders across Warri Federal Constituency.
