In the run-up to the 2023 general elections, many Deltans, including political pundits , were misled by political rhetoric, failing to recognize the exceptional qualities of our governor. As the speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, he distinguished himself as the first and only person to have led the house for six consecutive years without any leadership crisis that had previously defined the Assembly’s leadership.
Street gossip and campaign smear blinded many Deltans from celebrating his victory when he was announced as the duly elected governor of Delta State. Consequently, people projected very low expectations for his government’s performance.
However, all the cynics were proven wrong and put to shame. Many may find it difficult to accept the reality of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s sterling governance and would rather live in denial of the visible good work. But I choose to part ways with incurable critics by acknowledging the governor’s achievements. As they say, truth heals, and by publicly recognizing his excellent performance, I hope to guide others still weighed down by pride and prejudice.
As someone offshore who maintains strong ties to our native country, I visit as regularly as my business and work schedules permit. My recent visit to Delta State in December 2024 and the first two weeks of January 2025 followed my previous visit in 2022.
During the five to six weeks I traveled across Delta State, I experienced a mix of excitement and frustration. While I had previously written about the challenges of the federal government’s poorly executed cashless policy, in this piece, I am pleased to join other well-meaning Deltans in celebrating Governor Sheriff’s monumental achievements in less than two years.
The simultaneous infrastructural transformations in the Warri/Effurun metropolis and other areas I visited reminded me of President Barack Obama’s mantra: “Yes, we can.” Governor Sheriff has proven that we too can achieve great things in Delta.
My conviction that the governor is performing creditably was corroborated by comments of applause from both partisan and non-partisan Deltans I encountered during my brief stay in my native land.
Now that the “pudding” has proven irresistible and uplifting, it behooves us to appreciate him by calling for the extension of his tenure, officially sealed in 2027. I am challenging all residents of Warri – the most cosmopolitan city in the world – to lead the charge for the governor’s second-term mandate.
The most appropriate recognition would be to confer a medal or pantheon of excellence in governance upon Governor Sheriff, hosted by Warri Beyond Borders and sister platforms. This would send a clear message to potential gubernatorial candidates that 2027 is not a year of vacancy, but a year to continue and renew the governor’s good work.
It is time to move from sideline critics to participants in growing Warri and Delta State by standing with Governor Sheriff. Let us reinvent the glamour and glitz for which Warri is known.
Kenneth Yugbovwre, MPH
Conflict Resolutions
Trinity College
Dublin, Ireland
