By Dr Norbert Chiazor
Delta state is dynamic in character. A state soaked in enchanting cultural flavour. It is an intriguing quintet, each constituent distinguished by its own peculiar beauty.
Delta is defined by the vivacious Urhobos, the colourful Itsekiris, the daring Ijaws, the communal Isokos and the accommodating Aniomas.
While the soul of the state rests on diversity, power rotation pumps her big heart beat. 1999, established what has become a golden convention in the management of its home-grown democracy: the rotation of the governorship among the three senatorial districts- Delta Central, Delta South and Delta North.
Chief James Ibori emerged governor in 1999 and governed for eight years, exiting office in 2007. Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan came and completed his own two terms in 2015, paving the way for his medical doctor colleague, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa. Then Okowa administered until 2023, when Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori mounted the saddle.
Two enduring principles have guided Delta’s governorship experience: precedence and propriety.
Whether by human design or divine order, the unwritten, yet substantive power sharing arrangement has become the most profound template in Delta’s political history.
Here lies the defining fortune of Oborevwori.
With Ibori (Delta central), Uduaghan (Delta South) and Okowa (Delta North), each ruling for eight years, Sheriff is therefore eminently positioned for the same eight-year opportunity, culminating in 2031.
This is not just about provincial fairness or institutional memory but symbolic parity of individual service. Balance of power.
While rotational governorship remains compelling, it is not the only rationale for Sheriff. Performance strengthens his mandate.
Among Deltans, there is a growing recognition of a governor that has chosen work over rhetoric, delivery over theatrics. Human capital development and social infrastructure- roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, markets and other public facilities, have become milestones of his administration across the state.
No one should therefore dismiss the recent appeal by the Forum of Urhobo Traditional Rulers urging support for Oborevwori governorship ahead of the 2027 election. The resolution followed a meeting of Urhobo kings held at the palace of the Ovie of Uvwie, HRM Emmanuel Sideso Abe 1.
In the declaration read by the Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom, HRM Dr Monday Whiskey, the royal fathers acknowledged a democratic truth: other sons have every right to aspire, but Oborevwori deserves the opportunity of a second tenure in sync with the precedent established by his predecessors.
This should not be framed as a move by the monarchs to dictate electoral choice but upheld as wise understanding of the political trajectory that has sustained Delta’s delicate balance.
Traditional rulers are not required to be partisan, yet as paramount custodians of the land, there have a moral and theocratic duty to invoke pronouncements that promote peace.
In retrospect, I recalled that Delta North traditional rulers had in February 2018, endorsed the then governor Okowa as sole candidate for a second term, during their gathering at the palace of the Obi of Owa Kingdom. HRM Emmanuel Efeizomor II.
The royal proclamation became the beautiful badge that emblazoned the now famous Anioma Agenda, an ideological standpoint in the quest for governorship seat among the people of Delta North, which ultimately captured the goodwill of Deltans beyond ethnic boundaries.
The solidarity for Sheriff hence transcends ethnicity or privilege. It is about continuity without chaos, equity without exclusion. In Delta, a vote for Oborevwori is organic cohesion, aiding her multi-ethnic destiny.
Indeed Urhobo royal fathers deserve acclamation for charting a noble course, like their Anioma counterparts.
Every Urhobo: man or woman, son or daughter owe it a challenge to stand in the vanguard of Oborevwori reelection come 2027.
Should Delta suddenly abandon a political convention that has united the state for over two decades? Is it not indiscretion to interrupt a performing administration for political experiment? What is Delta without defense of its diversity?
Who fiddles with a functioning fan? Why mend what is not broken? American technocrat Thomas Bertram Lance once asked.
Sheriff is bold in building Delta. Why bifurcate a good dream? No Deltans are wiser.
For Anioma, Isoko, Itsekiri, Ijaw and of course Urhobo, it is incontrovertible that the choice of Sheriff is a matter of precedence tinged with performance. Let the political wheel of Delta continue to turn with fairness.
There is a lot to be done in Delta’s ocean of needs, but the ship is sailing with steady ease.
Sheriff will do more with eight-year mandate.
May divine hand lead him ahead…
– Chiazor is a veteran Journalist with a PhD in Mass communication
