BREAKING: Ijaw Nation Did Not Endorse Oborevwori; Bomadi Rally Was APC Gathering, Ungrateful Politicians Deserve No Second Term – Ozobo

By Osaro Michael, Benin

Leading Niger Delta activist and Publisher, Amb. (Comrade) Ozobo Austin, has faulted claims that the Ijaw nation endorsed Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, describing the recent Bomadi rally as an All Progressives Congress, APC, gathering.

In a statement issued in Warri on Saturday, Ozobo branded Governor Oborevwori an “ungrateful politician” to the Ijaw people, insisting he does not merit a second term.

“The Ijaw nation never endorsed Governor Sheriff Oborevwori. The so-called Bomadi rally was an APC affair, not an Ijaw decision. Ijaws are into various political parties in different states of the Niger Delta. There was no meeting held anywhere where the Ijaw nation agreed to endorse the governor of Delta State for the second term. It was a complete APC affair. It is misleading to present it as the position of our people,” Ozobo stated.

The activist accused the governor of abandoning the Ijaw ethnic nationality despite the overwhelming support he received from Ijaw leaders, youths, and voters during the 2023 governorship poll.

“The Ijaw people stood firmly behind Governor Oborevwori. We mobilized, voted, and defended his mandate. But his conduct in office shows he is an ungrateful politician who has turned his back on the very people who helped him to power,” he said.

Ozobo alleged that Ijaw communities have been sidelined under the Oborevwori administration in appointments, infrastructure, and empowerment, adding that the only capital project , Ayakoromo bridge is suffering funding.

“Visit Ijaw LGAs — Burutu, Bomadi, Patani, Warri South-West, Warri North. Point to one major state project there. Where are the commissioners, the heads of boards, the real empowerment schemes? We were used and dumped,” he lamented.

He argued that political support should attract reciprocal goodwill, stressing that the Ijaw nation played a decisive role in Oborevwori’s electoral victory when he was completely abandoned by his Urhobo People and deserves equitable treatment.

“You cannot climb to power on the shoulders of a people and then treat them as if they are invisible. That is the height of ingratitude,” Ozobo noted.

The publisher warned that the Ijaw people would oppose any second-term bid by the governor if what he termed “glaring marginalization” persists.

“An ungrateful politician does not deserve a second term. The Ijaw nation is taking note. If this neglect continues, 2027 will be payback time,” he declared.

Ozobo urged Governor Oborevwori to change course, consult Ijaw stakeholders, and ensure fair distribution of the dividends of democracy across all ethnic groups in Delta State.

“Leadership demands inclusion, justice, and gratitude. If the governor fails to demonstrate these values, the Ijaw people owe him no further political debt,” he concluded.

As of press time, efforts to get a reaction from the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor were unsuccessful.