By Palmer Ogheneyole Nathaniel
As the race for the governorship of Delta State heats up, a group of Deltans of Urhobo extraction living in the United Kingdom, have thrown their weight behind the candidature of the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori JP, in the 2023 general elections.
The group under the aegis of the Urhobo Diaspora Good Governance Initiatives (UDGGI), made the declaration during a crucial meeting held over the weekend in London, United Kingdom.
In a press statement jointly signed by its Director-General, Mr. John Ewhubare Siakpere (JP) and Secretary General, Dr. Richard Stephen, the group said, Oborevwori’s sterling performance as Speaker, the competent leadership he has provided to the legislative arm, as well as his national and international exposure and acceptability stood him out as the best and most suitable Deltan to succeed Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, in 2023.
While noting that the Speaker is a square peg in a square hole and also a vibrant leader whose antecedent as a compassionate grassroot politician has placed him in good stead to steer the ship of the state in the coming dispensation, UDGGI appealed to the leaders and stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State to do everything possible to ensure that Rt Hon Oborevwori emerge as its standard bearer in the 2023 governorship election.
The statement read in part, “Having passed the litmus test as the Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, where his performance was exemplary and enviable, we have no doubt that Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, will perform wonders as governor of Delta State.”
“His superlative performance as Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly apparently informed his recognition and election as National Treasurer and presently, as National Deputy- Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of 36 states Houses of Assembly.”
“We have profiled all Deltans jostling to succeed Governor Okowa in 2023, across political divides and we have come to an irreversible and irrevocable conclusion that Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, is the best man for the job.”
The group added that the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, having worked closely with the present administration in the state, would maintain and continue with the developmental strides of the Okowa-led government as well as sustaining its enduring legacy if elected governor.
“Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has been identified as a fertile human resource within the state and at the national level. We therefore strongly urge all Deltans to support and key into this laudable initiative of electing him as governor of our dear state in 2023,” it, added.