By Ovasa Ogaga,
Member representing Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Revd Francis Ejiroghene Waive, has applauded Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for his exemplary leadership that ensured the peaceful conduct of the All Progressives Congress (APC) congresses across the state.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the successful State Congress in Asaba, Waive commended the governor’s “apt management” of the process, which began at the ward level, progressed through the 25 local government areas, and culminated in the state congress after exercises in all 270 wards.
According to the federal lawmaker, the governor created an atmosphere that allowed party leaders at every level to freely determine their executives from the ward to the state level. He noted that where disagreements surfaced, Oborevwori stepped in to mediate and secure amicable resolutions without bias.
“In areas where there were issues, His Excellency mediated to achieve peaceful resolutions without having any dog in any fight. This is statesmanship. This is leadership. Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is the deal,” Waive stated.
Waive further revealed that at the State Caucus meeting preceding the congress, members had urged the governor, as party leader in the state, to exercise his prerogative in selecting the State Chairman. However, he said Oborevwori declined to impose a candidate, insisting that stakeholders meet at the zonal level to work out a sharing formula and consult widely before presenting names in line with the consensus approach.
“We spent over one hour persuading His Excellency that, as the leader of the party in the state, he had the prerogative to choose the State Chairman. He insisted that we meet as zones to come up with a sharing formula and thereafter consult our people back home before arriving at names,” he said.
Waive, who chairs the House Committee on Rules and Business, described the exercise as the most peaceful congress in the history of the APC in Delta State. He attributed its success to the governor’s selfless leadership and strategic management of party affairs.
The lawmaker added that the outcome has reinforced unity within the party and strategically positioned the Delta APC for greater success in the 2027 general elections, urging members to remain steadfast in supporting Governor Oborevwori and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope for MORE Agenda.
