By Ovasa Ogaga,
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has emerged as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 election after securing 345,375 votes in the party’s direct primary election held across the state’s 270 wards.
Oborevwori, who contested as the sole aspirant, was overwhelmingly affirmed by party members in what APC leaders described as a peaceful, transparent and unprecedented exercise in Delta State politics.
Chairman of the APC Governorship Primary Election Committee and Returning Officer, Engr. Victor Abba, announced the result at the party secretariat in Asaba, officially declaring Oborevwori the winner of the primary.
“I, Engineer Sir Victor Abba, Chairman of the Delta Governorship Primary Election Committee and Returning Officer for the Delta State Governorship Primary Election held on the 21st day of May, 2026, hereby certify that the aspirant, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Francis Oborevwori scored 345,375 votes,” Abba declared.
He said the governor, having satisfied all constitutional requirements of the party and secured the highest number of valid votes cast, was duly returned as the APC governorship candidate for the 2027 election.
Abba commended party members for what he described as their maturity, discipline and peaceful conduct throughout the exercise, noting that the APC in Delta State had demonstrated a high level of internal democracy.
“We have seen what has happened in Delta State, and we are satisfied. The maturity of politics in this state is second to none,” he said.
The returning officer also praised the Oborevwori administration for its infrastructural projects and people-oriented programmes, stating that the governor’s performance had further strengthened the APC’s popularity across the state.
Speaking shortly after casting his vote in his ward in Okpe Local Government Area, Governor Oborevwori applauded the APC leadership for organising what he called a credible and exemplary primary election.
“I must sincerely appreciate our great party, the APC, for the transparent and exemplary model adopted for this primary election. It is a model worthy of emulation by other political parties,” the governor stated.
He said the large turnout recorded across the wards reflected the growing confidence of party members in his leadership and the unity within the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
Oborevwori noted that the peaceful conduct of the primaries marked a significant departure from the violent and tension-filled exercises previously associated with party contests in the state.
“For the first time in Delta State, our primaries were conducted peacefully without violence, crisis or loss of lives. Nobody imposed candidates on the people. The people freely chose those they wanted,” he added.
Former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, said the massive turnout during the exercise was a clear indication of support for the Oborevwori administration and the APC in the state.
Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, also described the governor’s emergence as a reflection of the confidence reposed in his leadership by party members across Delta State.
Other APC leaders, including Ndudi Elumelu, Jonathan Ukodhiko, Joel Onowakpo-Thomas and Francis Waive, commended the peaceful conduct of the exercise and expressed confidence in the APC’s chances in the 2027 general elections.
The declaration of Oborevwori as the APC governorship candidate was witnessed by Deputy Governor Monday Onyeme, Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly Emomotimi Guwor and several top party leaders.
Political observers say the outcome has further consolidated Oborevwori’s grip on the APC structure in Delta State, with party stakeholders expressing optimism that his growing support base and performance in office would boost the party’s chances in the 2027 governorship election.
