…Says Rallies Alone Cannot Guarantee Electoral Victory
Former Governor of Delta State and All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Delta North, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has challenged party leaders and stakeholders to translate the mass defection of political leaders in the state into electoral victories in the 2027 general elections.
Okowa stressed that electoral success would depend not merely on rallies and public displays of political strength, but on effective grassroots mobilisation, sustained engagement with voters and unity among party members.
He made the call on Thursday in Asaba during the inauguration of the Delta State APC Campaign Council, reiterating the position in a post on his social media handles following the party’s stakeholders’ meeting.
According to him, the party must move beyond the enthusiasm generated by political realignments and focus on building a formidable grassroots structure capable of delivering victory at the polls.
“Elections are won not by rallies alone, but by the strength of our grassroots mobilisation, the quality of our engagement with the people and our ability to work together towards a common goal,” he said.
Okowa said party leaders, women and youths must set aside their differences, embrace unity and take the APC’s message to every ward, community and polling unit across the state.
He maintained that every stakeholder had a responsibility to ensure the party’s electoral success, insisting that the mobilisation process must begin immediately.
“With Governor Sheriff Oborevwori providing leadership for our party in Delta State, we must match our collective resolve with purposeful action, sustained mobilisation and a shared commitment to delivering results at the polls,” he stated.
The former governor urged party faithful to work together towards the re-election of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, as well as the election of all APC candidates in 2027.
“The task before us demands unity, discipline and hard work. Let us put our differences aside, engage our people and move forward together,” he added.
### Okowa Tasks Campaign Council On Delivery
Speaking on behalf of Delta North at the inauguration, Okowa said expectations were high following the defection of Governor Oborevwori, himself and several prominent political leaders from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC in April 2025.
He described the political realignment as one of the most significant developments in Delta State’s recent political history, noting that its impact must be demonstrated through overwhelming electoral support for the party in 2027.
Okowa charged members of the campaign council to justify the confidence reposed in them by mobilising voters and ensuring that the party’s growing political influence translated into victory at the ballot box.
The former vice-presidential candidate of the PDP also emphasised the need for commitment, coordination and effective grassroots engagement to achieve the party’s electoral objectives.
### Oborevwori Unveils MORE Plus Campaign Theme
Earlier, Governor Oborevwori, who inaugurated the campaign council as chairman, charged members to take the APC’s message to the grassroots, particularly market women, youths, farmers, traders and other groups across the state.
The governor unveiled **“MORE Plus”** as the theme of his re-election campaign, saying the campaign would be anchored on the achievements of President Tinubu’s administration and his own M.O.R.E Agenda for Delta State.
He urged party members to intensify mobilisation at the ward and polling-unit levels, stressing the importance of reaching voters directly and communicating the administration’s policies and achievements.
Other political leaders who spoke at the event included Deputy Governor Monday Onyeme; Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo; Delta APC Chairman, Solomon Arenyeka; and former senator Ovuozourie Macaulay, who spoke for Delta South.
Also present were former Delta APC leader Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, who represented Delta Central, and Stella Okotete.
The campaign council is expected to coordinate the APC’s mobilisation and electoral activities across Delta State ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Governor Oborevwori as chairman and Senator James Manager as Director-General.
