By Ovasa Ogaga, Efe Richard,
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ughelli North Local Government Area have called on members to close ranks, end post-primary rivalries, and execute a unified strategy to secure a complete 6-for-6 electoral sweep.
The directive was issued during an expanded Ughelli North APC Leadership Council meeting hosted at the Evwreni country home of the party's Delta State founding leader, Olorogun O'tega Emerhor.
Addressing the stakeholders, Emerhor acknowledged that internal political contests naturally breed friction, but insisted that the primary mandate now is total party cohesion. He highlighted that Ughelli North remains one of Delta State's largest voting blocs and challenged members to deliver an overwhelming percentage of the votes for all six APC flagbearers: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Senator Ede Dafinone, Hon. Francis Waive (House of Representatives), Hon. Matthew Omonade, and Chief Okoro (House of Assembly).
"The congresses and primaries are behind us. Yes, there were disagreements, there were skirmishes and even some fights, but today we have all come together in unity. The purpose of those exercises was to produce candidates. Now the real work begins. We have six candidates to deliver—the President, the Governor, the Senator, the House of Representatives candidate and our two House of Assembly candidates—and we can only achieve that if we work together as one family."
He commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for providing leadership throughout the party's internal processes and thanked members for ensuring the congresses and primaries were successfully concluded.
Emerhor stressed that reconciliation must remain a priority, urging party members to embrace those who felt aggrieved during the primaries as well as those returning from other political parties. "Those who left the party should be welcomed back. Politics is about numbers, and the more people we have, the stronger we become. We must also reach out to those who were unhappy after the primaries and make them understand that nobody lost. We are all winners because when we win the election, there will be opportunities for everyone. But first, we must work hard, remain united and deliver victory for our party."
Describing Ughelli North as one of Delta State's biggest voting blocs, Emerhor challenged party members to justify that status by producing overwhelming votes for the APC. "Ughelli North has one of the highest voting populations in Delta State, and we must prove our strength at the polls. We are setting up a planning committee to develop a comprehensive strategy covering reconciliation, mobilisation, funding, logistics and ward coordination. Every member of this party will have a role to play because our target is clear—to deliver overwhelming victory for all our candidates."
To drive the campaign structure, Emerhor announced the constitution of an Election Planning Committee with a two-week mandate to develop a comprehensive electoral blueprint.
The committee is chaired by the Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Council, Chief Jaro Egbo, with APC Local Government Chairman, Chief Lucky Ofomukoro, serving as deputy chairman, while Sam Mariere is the secretary. Other members include Hon. Stella Okotete, Hon. Festus Ovie Agas, Hon. Sylvester Ovidje, Chief Terry Noah, Hon. Vera Ugbobor, Innocent Ovidje (Youth Representative), among others.
According to Emerhor, the committee will develop strategies on mobilisation, reconciliation, campaign financing, logistics, polling unit coordination and stakeholder engagement before presenting its recommendations to the leadership council for implementation.
Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Council, Chief Jaro Egbo, praised the party's leadership and members for conducting the congresses and primary elections peacefully despite intense political competition.
He noted that from the ward congresses through the zonal meetings and national engagements in Abuja, the APC maintained internal discipline without violence or major disruption.
"We have every reason to thank God and appreciate our leaders for standing firmly with the party through every stage of our journey. From the congresses to the various elections, we remained united, and not a single life was lost or incident recorded. As we prepare for the next elections, we must sustain that spirit of unity and work tirelessly to deliver victory for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Senator Ede Dafinone, Hon. Francis Waive and all APC candidates. If we remain focused and united, victory will be ours."
Speaking at the meeting, Chief Sam Mariere said the APC enters the campaign season with a strong performance record, citing Governor Sheriff Oborevwori's infrastructure projects and development initiatives across Delta State.
He pointed to the construction of flyovers, roads, schools and other ongoing projects as achievements that would strengthen the party's appeal to voters. "Our leader, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, has given us every reason to campaign with confidence. Across the state, we can see flyovers, roads, schools and many other projects that speak for themselves. Empowerment is very important in politics, and while it may not reach everyone at once, the leadership is making deliberate efforts to ensure more people benefit over time."
Mariere urged members to remain united behind all APC candidates, stressing that victory at the presidential level would bring greater federal opportunities and development to Delta State.
"As a party, we must remain united and work to deliver all our candidates, from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to our House of Assembly candidates. Winning the presidential election is particularly important because it opens greater opportunities for our people through appointments and federal projects. If we deliver for the President, our Governor will have stronger support from the centre, and Ughelli North will benefit even more. There is peace in our party, no internal crisis, and with this unity I believe the outcome of the next election will be overwhelmingly in our favour."
Other speakers, including Prof. S.W.E. Ibodje, Chief Lucky Ofomukoro, the APC Women Leader, Chief Gladys Agba, and several ward leaders, echoed the call for unity, grassroots mobilisation and reconciliation, insisting that the APC must remain focused on consolidating its electoral strength across Ughelli North.
Demonstrating the party’s expanding footprint, leadership formally received Evangelist Felix Ogbajini and Apostle Oghenerukevwe Okiti, who previously belonged to an opposing internal faction, as they aligned with the unified structure under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
Among those in attendance were Olorogun O'tega Emerhor; Chief Terry Noah; Chief Jaro Egbo; Chief Hon. Festus Ovie Agas; Prof. S.W.E. Ibodje; Hon. Stella Okotete; Chief Lucky Ofomukoro; Chief Sam Mariere; Hon. Sylvester Ovidje; Chief P. Egone; Chief Frank Ossai; Chief Joseph Okoro; Hon. A. Brume; Hon. Samuel Ighobaro; Chief G.O. Oyefa; Chief Sylvester Kowho; Chief Gladys Agba; Comrade Monday Oyeghe; Chief Alice Jegede; Hon. Vera Ugbobor; Hon. Chief Paul Okogu; Olori Magege; Orunwaduvwe Godspower Igbedi; Chief Mrs. Beauty Akpoyibo; Chief Mrs. Ruth Timothy; and Olorogun Anthony Ugbodume, JP
