By Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, Esq.
The Commercial Motorcycle and Tricycle Operators Association (COMTOA) in Delta State has declared support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and other candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections, pledging statewide grassroots mobilisation.
With an estimated membership of more than 25,000 commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators across the state, COMTOA represents a significant occupational network whose members interact daily with passengers, traders and residents in communities across Delta State.
The association announced its support during a solidarity visit to the Delta State Government House in Asaba on Friday, where its leadership pledged to mobilise members in support of the APC candidates at all levels in the forthcoming elections.
The endorsement was formally adopted through a motion moved by the association’s State Treasurer, Comrade Prince Miller, and seconded by its State Secretary, Comrade Emmanuel Afatakpa.
Leading the delegation, Chief Godday Obi Nzete said the endorsement reflected the association’s appreciation of what he described as the state government’s recognition of its members and support for their welfare and interests.
“We want to appreciate them for their good work and for the support they have given us as an association in this state,” Nzete said.
He disclosed that only a fraction of the association’s estimated 25,000 members participated in the solidarity visit but assured the government of plans to organise a broader mobilisation exercise across the state.
“We are ready to set aside a day to mobilise our members across the entire state in support of Sheriff and all APC candidates, from the presidency down,” he said.
Emu Tasks COMTOA With Grassroots Mobilisation
The Secretary to the Delta State Government (SSG), Dr Kingsley Emu, welcomed the association’s declaration and urged its leadership to sustain political engagement at the grassroots ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Emu said COMTOA’s extensive community presence and daily interaction with residents placed its members in a strategic position to communicate the APC’s message across the state.
“The job has just started. Go back to your units and continue preaching the good news,” he said, encouraging the association to maintain mobilisation at the unit level as political activities intensify.
The SSG also disclosed that the Delta State Government had recruited and equipped 1,000 forest guards to strengthen security and tackle criminal activities in forested areas across the state.
According to him, the initiative is intended to improve public safety, enable farmers to return to their farms without fear and create a more secure environment for residents and economic activities.
Agofure Highlights Government Support for Commercial Riders
The Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Onoriode Agofure, commended COMTOA for its support and highlighted measures introduced by the Oborevwori administration to ease the operating costs of commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators.
Agofure said the state government had subsidised daily tickets, making them more affordable and reducing some of the financial pressures faced by transport operators.
He noted that policies addressing the welfare of commercial riders were important to sustaining their livelihoods and strengthening the relationship between the government and organised transport groups.
Onoriode Links Infrastructure to Transport Operators’ Welfare
The State Director of Protocol, Chief Sunday Onoriode, described the solidarity visit as a demonstration of support for the Tinubu and Oborevwori administrations at the federal and state levels.
He highlighted the governor’s contributions to road infrastructure, peace and security, describing these areas as essential to commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators whose livelihoods depend on daily movement across communities.
Onoriode explained that improved roads and a stable operating environment could enhance the safety, productivity and welfare of transport operators.
His remarks underscored the connection between public infrastructure, the transport sector and the political support declared by COMTOA.
APC Organising Secretary Urges Support for Tinubu, Oborevwori
The APC State Organising Secretary, Hon. Emmanuel Egbabor, also urged COMTOA members to support Tinubu, Oborevwori and other party candidates in the 2027 general elections.
Egbabor commended the economic policies of the Tinubu administration, arguing that they had improved the availability of funds to state and local governments for development projects.
He maintained that increased resources available to the different tiers of government could strengthen their capacity to provide infrastructure and address citizens’ needs.
The APC chieftain encouraged COMTOA members to sustain community engagement and mobilise support for the party’s candidates across the various levels of government.
COMTOA’s Endorsement Puts Grassroots Politics in Focus
COMTOA’s declaration highlights the potential influence of organised occupational groups in grassroots political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
With members operating across communities and interacting with different segments of the population, the association could provide an important platform for political communication and engagement.
However, the estimated membership of more than 25,000 should be distinguished from the number of members who participated in the solidarity visit or have actively committed to subsequent campaign activities.
The visit was attended by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Prince Johnson Erijo; Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Onoriode Agofure; Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu; and Special Adviser on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution, Chief Edwin Uzor.
Others included the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Festus Ahon; Director-General of the State Orientation Bureau, Mr Fred Latimore; and other government officials and APC stakeholders.
As political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, COMTOA’s proposed statewide mobilisation will provide an opportunity to assess how the association intends to organise its membership and translate its endorsement into coordinated political engagement in support of Tinubu, Oborevwori and other APC candidates across Delta State.
About the Author
Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, Esq., is an APC communication strategist and Director-General of the Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Governor’s Office, Asaba. He is a member of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN).