Delta Governor Faces Heat for Opposing Tinubu, Eyeing APC
WARRI/Nigeria: A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, Hon. Chief Evance Ochuko Ivwurie, has accused Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of political hypocrisy, alleging that while publicly opposing President Bola Tinubu’s policies, he is secretly making moves to join the ruling party.
Ivwurie, a former Delta State lawmaker and ex-Commissioner for Special Duties, described Oborevwori’s actions as a sign of desperation and lack of integrity. “The governor’s public criticism of President Tinubu while clandestinely seeking entry into the APC exposes his political duplicity. The people of Delta State deserve better leadership,” he said.
The APC stalwart also criticized Oborevwori’s stance against the federal government’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, warning that such opposition could negatively impact Delta’s economic interests. He argued that President Tinubu’s intervention was necessary to restore stability in Rivers, where a power struggle between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the State House of Assembly had led to governance paralysis.
“The President’s bold step saved Rivers State from total collapse,” Ivwurie stated, likening Tinubu’s leadership to that of former U.S. President Harry Truman. He maintained that Tinubu acted within his constitutional powers, citing Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution, which grants the President authority to declare a state of emergency in times of crisis.
Ivwurie condemned the PDP Governors’ Forum for challenging Tinubu’s decision in court, singling out Oborevwori’s involvement as “irresponsible.” He warned that Delta, being economically reliant on federal allocations tied to oil production, cannot afford to antagonize the federal government. “Rather than working against the President’s stabilizing efforts, Governor Oborevwori should focus on securing peace and economic growth in the region,” he asserted.
Commending Tinubu’s decisive action, Ivwurie credited the President for restoring hope in Rivers State. He urged Oborevwori to abandon “frivolous political battles” and prioritize governance in Delta. “The governor must stop dragging Delta State into unnecessary conflicts and focus on delivering good governance. His actions will not be forgotten, and the people of Delta will hold him accountable,” he warned.
As political tensions rise, Ivwurie insisted that the governor’s alleged attempts to switch allegiance to the APC while attacking Tinubu’s administration expose a lack of commitment to his party and a betrayal of his constituents. He called on Oborevwori to align himself with initiatives that ensure stability rather than engage in partisan distractions.
