The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State Central on Sunday formally endorsed President Bola Tinubu and a full slate of party candidates as the ruling party ramps up preparations for the 2027 general elections.
At a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Petroleum Training Institute conference center in Effurun, party leaders—including Delta State APC Chairman Chief Solomon Arenyeka and founding leader Chief O’tega Emerhor—voted unanimously to back Tinubu, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Senator Ede Dafinone, among others.
The endorsement was moved and seconded by senior figures and carried by a voice vote, Arenyeka said.
“The strategy we set in June is producing results,” Arenyeka said, describing a series of senatorial-level meetings ordered after a June 11 State Working Committee review.
He said the turnout and level of unity in Delta Central signaled momentum for the party across the state.
Chief Emerhor praised the President and Governor Oborevwori for policies he said were benefiting Nigerians and residents of Delta State.
Chief Paulinus Akpeki, chairman of the Delta Central senatorial chapter, attributed recent smooth primaries and internal party cohesion to the governor’s leadership and urged members to move past primary disputes.
“The primaries have come and gone,” Akpeki told the meeting.
“The election ahead is bigger than any individual’s ambition. Let us forgive one another, heal every misunderstanding, and work together for the success of our party.”
Speaking at the event, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo urged respect for the party’s primary outcomes and described the contest ahead as one of organization and grassroots engagement.
He defended President Tinubu’s economic reforms, saying they were beginning to yield higher revenue and private investment.
Senator Dafinone, whose re-election bid was endorsed, pledged to expand employment and empowerment programs for Urhobo youth if returned to the Senate.
Party leaders from the district’s three federal constituencies pledged unified campaign efforts.
Women’s and local-government representatives sought a deeper role in the campaign.
Stella Okotete, Executive Director at NEXIM Bank, pledged that Delta Central would deliver “at least one million votes” for the APC, while ALGON chairman Isaiah Esiovwa said council chairmen would mobilize grassroots support.
Arenyeka announced plans for the Delta North stakeholders’ meeting on Aug. 7 in Asaba; the date for Delta South will be announced later. He also welcomed recent defectors from other parties and pledged their full integration into APC structures.
The show of unity in Delta Central is an indication of the APC’s effort to consolidate support in a State that has been politically competitive in recent election cycles.
