Oborevwori–Ibori Peace Accord: Ethiope East Rallies Behind Erhiatake, Akpowowo for 2027
By Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe Esq.
The recent political reconciliation between former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, and the state Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has continued to reshape the political architecture of Delta State, with stakeholders describing the development as a decisive turning point that has effectively dissolved the 2023 general election divisions across Ethiope Federal Constituency.
The Oborevwori–Ibori Peace Accord is increasingly being interpreted within political circles as a strategic consolidation of influence that has brought Ethiope East and Ethiope West Local Government Areas under a common political understanding within the All Progressives Congress (APC), thereby setting the stage for a more coordinated and formidable electoral front ahead of 2027.
Flowing directly from that accord, leaders of the APC in Ethiope East Local Government Area on Sunday convened an enlarged unity caucus meeting at the residence of the Delta State Director of Protocol, Okakuro Sunday Onoriode, at Oria, Abraka, where stakeholders formally aligned with the spirit and political direction of the reconciliation.
In a unanimous resolution that underscored the new political reality, the meeting backed Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu for a second term in the House of Representatives, and Rt. Hon. Arthur Akpowowo, Deputy Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, for re-election in 2027, in recognition of their legislative performance and sustained engagement with constituents.
Party leaders at the meeting described the alliance between Chief James Ibori and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori as the emergence of a new political equilibrium in Delta State, one that has effectively reduced intra-party friction and repositioned the APC as a more cohesive electoral platform, not driven by sentiment, but by strategic political calculus anchored on unity, continuity and stability.
They noted that the consolidation of political structures across Ethiope Federal Constituency has significantly strengthened the party’s grassroots penetration, making opposition mobilization increasingly difficult in a region long regarded as politically sophisticated and highly organized, thereby neutralizing fragmentation within the political elite and reinforcing APC’s capacity to compete decisively in the 2027 general elections.
The development, they added, has already begun to boost the morale of party faithful, deepen grassroots confidence, and strengthen the perception of APC as the only viable platform for continuity, stability, and development delivery.
The meeting also took note of the governance strides of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, particularly his infrastructural expansion agenda, public sector reforms, and peace-building approach anchored on his MORE Agenda, which stakeholders say has widened political acceptance across Delta State.
Similarly, leaders commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what they described as bold national reforms, infrastructure expansion efforts, and leadership direction under the Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that such federal-state synergy continues to reinforce public trust in the APC.
Welcoming stakeholders to the meeting, respected APC leader, Chief Bennerd Edewor, described the gathering as a confirmation of renewed political unity in Ethiope Federal Constituency, noting that the era of internal fragmentation has given way to strategic coordination and shared purpose.
He urged party faithful to remain focused and disciplined, stressing that the strength of the APC in Ethiope East and Ethiope West now lies in its ability to sustain unity and convert political harmony into electoral success.
Host of the meeting and Delta State Director of Protocol, Okakuro Sunday Onoriode, commended leaders for embracing reconciliation and aligning with the broader political direction shaped by the Oborevwori–Ibori peace accord.
He emphasized that Ethiope East LGA support for Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu and Rt. Hon. Arthur Akpowowo reflected both performance and trust, adding that continuity in representation would further strengthen governance outcomes in Ethiope Federal Constituency.
Other leaders, including Chief Love Ojakovo and the Chairman of APC in Ethiope East LGA, Hon. Chief Midwest Iboyitete, JP, reaffirmed their commitment to grassroots mobilization, internal cohesion, and sustained political engagement ahead of future elections.
As the meeting concluded in Abraka, party leaders and stakeholders expressed renewed optimism, with a shared understanding that the Oborevwori–Ibori Peace Accord has not only redefined political relationships in Ethiope Federal Constituency but has also positioned the APC for a more unified and strategically advantaged outing in the 2027 general elections.
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Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe Esq. is the Director General, Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Governor’s Office, Asaba.
