Leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the umbrella of the Ughelli South United Forum and Ughievwen leaders have endorsed Chief Emuobo Gbagi as their preferred candidate for the Delta State House of Assembly seat representing Ughelli South Constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The endorsement was announced during a stakeholders’ meeting held on Sunday in Otu-Jeremi, where political leaders, youths and women groups from across the area unanimously adopted Gbagi as the sole aspirant to challenge the incumbent lawmaker in the next election cycle.
Presenting the motion for the endorsement, Olorogun Matthew Ofioguma said the decision was reached after extensive consultations among political stakeholders and community leaders in the constituency.
He stated that Chief Gbagi possessed the experience, leadership qualities and competence required to effectively represent the people of Ughelli South in the Delta State House of Assembly.
The motion was seconded by Olorogun Godwin Sito and received unanimous approval from participants at the meeting.
Speaking during the gathering, President-General of the Ughelli South United Forum, Chief Godwin Okporoko, reaffirmed the group’s commitment to supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori in the 2027 elections.
Okporoko, however, stressed that stakeholders in Ughelli South had resolved to rally behind a single candidate for the House of Assembly seat in order to strengthen their political position and enhance unity within the constituency.
According to him, leaders, youths and women groups in the area were opposed to any external consensus arrangement and had collectively agreed to support only one aspirant for the contest.
He disclosed that Olorogun Gordons Okomitie, who had earlier shown interest in the race, voluntarily stepped down in support of Chief Gbagi to foster unity among party faithful in the constituency.
Also speaking, renowned academic and elder statesman, Prof. Godwin Darah, emphasised the importance of quality representation and effective lawmaking, while expressing dissatisfaction with what he described as poor representation in the constituency.
Prof. Darah said he had earlier written an open letter to Governor Oborevwori conveying the position of Ughievwen leaders and residents of Ughelli South on the alleged imposition of Hon. Festus Utuama.
He warned that supporting an unpopular candidate could negatively affect the party’s chances in the constituency, insisting that the electorate should be allowed to freely choose their representative.
The elder statesman further criticised the performance of the incumbent lawmaker, alleging a lack of visible constituency projects over the past three years despite the abundant human and natural resources in Ughelli South.
Other stakeholders spoke at the meeting, including Olorogun Vincent Oduaran, Chief Michael Oshetigho, Chief Macaulay Dase, Chief Princess Egwolo Ogbon, Chief Barr. Anthony Duku, Mrs. Beatrice Lodge Ghereje, Hon. Sylvester Ebirie.
Hon. Anote Homes Oteri, all expressed support for the endorsement of Chief Emuobo Gbagi as the sole aspirant for the Delta State House of Assembly seat in Ughelli South Constituency.
