By Reen Chidi
Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, has attributed the growing support for President Bola Tinubu and Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, ahead of the 2027 general elections to their performance in office, dismissing claims that crowds at All Progressives Congress (APC) political gatherings are hired.
Aniagwu said the massive turnout at the governor’s political engagements across the state reflected genuine public acceptance of the administrations at both the federal and state levels, insisting that residents were voluntarily identifying with the APC because of the impact of ongoing development initiatives.
The commissioner stated this during an appearance on TVC’s Politics Tonight, where he maintained that the enthusiasm displayed by supporters at political gatherings was evidence of growing confidence in the leadership of Tinubu and Oborevwori.
He cited ongoing and completed projects in Warri South-West Local Government Area as examples of the state government’s commitment to grassroots development, noting that the interventions had improved infrastructure and strengthened the relationship between government and residents.
According to him, Oborevwori’s inclusive governance approach and the spread of development projects across Delta’s 25 local government areas had significantly enhanced public confidence in his administration.
“Whenever the governor arrives at these gatherings, you see the excitement, the applause and the enthusiasm of the people. These are not characteristics of rented crowds. Our people come out because they appreciate what the government is doing,” Aniagwu said.
He argued that the political landscape in Delta had changed significantly since the 2023 general elections, stressing that the Tinubu administration now had an opportunity to demonstrate the impact of its policies through governance.
Aniagwu explained that during the 2023 elections, Tinubu was still a presidential candidate and Nigerians had yet to experience the policies and reforms of his administration. He said the situation was different ahead of 2027, as the government had been in office long enough for citizens to assess its decisions and their outcomes.
The commissioner also identified the defection of Governor Oborevwori and several prominent former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders to the APC as a major political realignment capable of reshaping Delta’s electoral fortunes.
He said the political understanding between the Federal Government and the Delta State Government had created opportunities for the state to benefit from national policies, while complementing them with infrastructure development and social intervention programmes.
Aniagwu maintained that the Oborevwori administration had demonstrated fiscal responsibility and practical leadership in implementing policies, adding that its initiatives were reinforcing the benefits of the Federal Government’s economic reforms.
He specifically highlighted the state’s third-month salary policy for public servants, explaining that the initiative had been backed by legislation to ensure its continuity beyond the tenure of the present administration.
According to him, the policy provides workers with an additional month’s salary annually, calculated on the same basis as their regular monthly earnings, describing it as a deliberate effort to improve workers’ welfare and provide financial relief.
On the APC manifesto and its promise of translating economic reforms into shared prosperity, Aniagwu argued that the success of any political manifesto should be judged by the extent to which its promises are implemented.
He said the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Delta State’s MORE Agenda were anchored on improving living standards, expanding economic opportunities and promoting sustainable development.
The commissioner acknowledged that the Tinubu administration inherited significant structural economic challenges, noting that the reforms introduced to address them required difficult decisions, some of which initially attracted public criticism.
Using the removal of the petroleum subsidy as an example, he argued that petrol availability had improved compared with the scarcity experienced before the current administration.
He recalled that Nigerians previously struggled to access petrol, with prices sometimes reaching as high as N2,000 per litre during periods of scarcity.
While admitting that affordability remained a major challenge for many households, Aniagwu expressed optimism that ongoing reforms and complementary interventions aimed at improving purchasing power would gradually reduce the economic burden on citizens.
He further disclosed that the Delta State Government was preparing to roll out another social investment programme following its approval by the State Executive Council.
According to him, the initiative is expected to benefit 50,000 residents, as part of the administration’s broader strategy to provide financial support, stimulate economic activities and improve the livelihoods of Deltans.
Aniagwu said the combination of the Federal Government’s economic reforms and the Oborevwori administration’s development programmes had provided a strong basis for Delta’s support for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
He expressed confidence in the APC’s chances across the state’s 25 local government areas, insisting that the party would build on the goodwill generated by the performance and policies of both administrations.
