PETER OBI EFFECT IN DELTA: NDC and Pela are coming for Oborevwori

By Egufe Yafugborhi

A second term bid seems a walk in the park for Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State with no clear opposition figure in sight yet. But with the Delta NDC banking on riding on the Peter Obi effect, Ken Pela, who came third in the 2023 elections, is strongly being projected to face the governor in the 2027 race

 A new election season is circling, gathering momentum. It’s unusual to have the Delta State political space so quiet in the race for the governorship.

This time in the election cycle for the 2023 Delta governorship, the atmosphere was already super charged. Noise, tension everywhere. Hardly anyone was sure where the pendulum would swing.

The situation was dicey for Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, then candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), versus Deputy President of the 9th Senate, Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege, who flew the All Progressives Congress (APC) flag.

Against recent bragging at a Lagos lecture by Oborevwori that he roundly defeated Omo-Agege in that election, the governor sweated, fought tooth and nail to gain that victory. 

From the campaigns till when the final results of votes were declared, both camps, jittery, held their hands in their mouths through it all. 

The governor felt real threat from a formidable, intimidating opponent in Omo-Agege, the margin of victory, 120,005 votes, not coming easy.

Diminished Rivalry 

With Omo-Agege out of the equation, having lowered his ambition to now seek return to the Senate, the mood in the race for the 2027 Delta guber is completely different. 

That force of rivalry that marked Oborevwori VS Omo-Agege in 2023 has visibly disappeared.

Even usual pretender candidates who make the most noise under practically anonymous party platforms are closed mouthed.

There are compelling reasons for this oddity. It flows beyond Omo-Agege abandoning the governorship. In the last three years, the the incumbent governor has gained soaring sellability through milestone infrastructures delivery.

And the reality remains, that no serious opposition will come outside Urhoboland, based on mutual respect for the tacit rotation of the governorship among senatorial districts.

The question then beckons for answer – Where is the opposition against incumbent Oborevwori?

Social justice advocate and Coordinator, Niger Delta Peace Coalition, Zik Gbemre, noted, “Governor Oborevwori currently enjoys a favorable political climate. 

“His administration has gained significant traction through execution of major transportation infrastructure projects, including flagship flyovers and road networks across Uvwie, Warri, Ughelli and Agbor.

“Public perception suggests a high level of acceptance for his performance, leading many to believe he should be allowed to complete a second term (2027–2031).”

A close political associate of the Governor and APC chieftain told Vanguard, “Oborevwori’s real masterstroke was the ‘Tsunami’ movement into the APC.

“It was intentional. Defecting from a place of strength to take over the Delta APC structure shut the doors to Agege and all strong voices who were interested in the governorship.

“Party politics is cost intensive. The APC knew Oborevwori was a win-win for the party. APC becomes the State’s ruling party with a governor that has the financial muscle to bankroll the machinery to smash the opposition through elections.”

Who’s Man Enough To Battle Oborevwori?

Gbemre believes, “While no major opposition has solidified against him for the 2027 cycle yet, the political vacuum suggests new aspirants may emerge as the election year approaches.”

Even among serial aspirants, particularly Great Ogboru who has contested every Delta governorship election since 2003, he looks unwilling to run for 2027.

He has not made any declaration of intent as he struggles against former President Muhammadu Buhari’s aide, Lauretta Onochie for control of the state structure of shaky Action Democratic Congress (ADC).

An estranged political confidant of the governor said, “No serious opposition this time around. Remember he’s the lone aspirant under the APC. And he was among serving governors asked to take a bow and leave during their screening.

“Ogboru may have been a factor in the past, not today. How many votes did he get in 2023. So everything is falling into place for a smooth ride for him. Even in the PDP he left for the APC, he has his feet on the structure. 

“It won’t be a surprise to find whoever PDP fields, if they do field one, backing down to pull his support behind Oboravwori. And that goes for the ADC and others who may want to field candidates.”

NDC, Pela coming 

 Following recent Asaba congress which produced Chief Richman Oyindoubra as the State Chairman, many believe the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, may well be the only serious platform to pose threat to Oborevwori’s second term bid.

With the Delta NDC banking on riding on the Peter Obi effect, Ken Pela, who came third in the 2023 elections, is strongly being projected to be handed the NDC ticket. Pela, who also rode on the Obi effect under Labour Party in 2023, sees the NDC as a party with clarity of purpose.

“On 7 January 2026 I declared for the ADC until about six weeks ago when I realised we seemed to be on a journey to nowhere and I made the deliberate decision to join the NDC. 

“I deliberately did not make noise about it. I chose instead to observe, listen, and to understand. What I have seen confirms one thing: This is a party with clarity of purpose. This is a party that understands service is not a slogan — it is a duty”, Pela stated.

QUOTE: Following recent Asaba congress which produced Chief Richman Oyindoubra as the State Chairman, many believe the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, may well be the only serious platform to pose threat to Oborevwori’s second term bid

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