Politics
DELTA NORTH 2027 SENATORIAL ELECTION : IT IS A NO NO FOR DR IFEANYI OKOWA
By Fred Akpewe Senior media analyst
As the political atmosphere gradually builds toward the next electoral cycle, conversations around representation in Delta North Senatorial District are beginning to take centre stage.
Expectedly, familiar arguments rooted in entitlement, rotation, and political sentiment are resurfacing. However, it is imperative to redirect this discourse toward a more substantive and democratic benchmark: performance.
Dr Okowa ‘s decision to go back to the Senate after a lackluster 8 years as governor and a previous four years as Senator representing Delta North is a direct insult to the sensibilities of Delta Northerners. That the whole of Delta North has no light should be something of shame to Dr Okowa. He squandered the golden opportunity to make Okpai IPP a citadel for lighting the whole of Delta North. Dr Okowa as Governor of Delta State for 8 years lost the opportunity to intervene in Ogwashi uku dam, a facility that has the capacity to provide clean water and irrigation to more than 60 communities around Ogwashi Uku.
Dr Okowa failed to deliver on the Kwale industrial park which he made a lot of noise about . It is for these reasons that the whole of Ndokwa Nation and indeed other parts of Delta North see his 2027 Senate bid as a huge joke . Dr Okowa’s former constituents have been asking derisive questions about what Dr Okowa wants to go to the Senate to do when he is unable to give an account of stewardship as a Senator and as a Governor. What impactful projects did he attract to Delta North , especially to the Ndokwa Nation? What is Okowa’s moral reason for wanting to unseat Senator Ned Nwoko who has been adjudged a star Senator of the 10th Senate due to his humongous contributions to law making, oversight and impressive representation of his constituents .
It is Dr Okowa’s shambolic performance as a Senator and his inability to utilize his 8 years as Governor to transform Delta North that has given Senator Ned Nwoko headaches in Okpai IPP and Ogwashi Uku dam . When we blame Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for refusing to support the two projects, we should also remember that his Predecessor, Dr Okowa refused to look that way at all. What business has such a man going back to the Senate and why should ANIOMA people support him?
The Senate is not a ceremonial chamber; it is a critical institution that demands legislative competence, strategic influence, and measurable impact. Therefore, representation in Delta North cannot and should not be reduced to a mere turn-by-turn arrangement or emotional claims of entitlement. Rather, it must be anchored on a demonstrable scorecard.
In evaluating representation, constituents must ask fundamental questions: What bills have been sponsored? What motions have been moved that directly impact Delta North? How effectively has the district been positioned within federal development priorities? These are the metrics that define purposeful leadership.
Distinguished Senator Ned Nwoko’s tenure offers a compelling case study in performance-driven representation. Within a relatively short period, his legislative footprint has been marked by proactive engagement, policy advocacy, and constituency-focused interventions. From sponsoring impactful bills to attracting developmental projects and amplifying the voice of Delta North on the national stage, his record speaks beyond rhetoric. Senator Ned Nwoko’s grand advocacy for the creation of ANIOMA state has gained tremendous traction and has endeared him to the ANIOMA people as their Champion. By consistently advocating that he wants an ANIOMA state in the South- South Dr Okowa has been penciled down as someone who does not support the creation of ANIOMA state at all. Such a man should not be trusted with a Senate job – he is in fact the agent provocateur, the number one antagonist of the ANIOMA state creation .
Beyond legislation, effective representation also encompasses accessibility, responsiveness, and strategic networking within the corridors of power. The ability to translate influence into tangible benefits for constituents remains the true test of leadership. This is where performance outweighs mere political claims.
It is also important to emphasize that democracy thrives on informed choices. The electorate must resist attempts to reduce elections to simplistic narratives of entitlement. Doing so undermines merit and weakens the very foundation of representative governance.
As Delta North looks ahead, the choice before the people is clear: to embrace a culture of accountability rooted in performance or to revert to a system that prioritizes entitlement over excellence. The future of the district depends on this decision.
Ultimately, elections are not about whose turn it is—they are about who has delivered, who can deliver, and who possesses the capacity to advance the collective interests of the people. Delta North deserves nothing less.
The Delta North Senatorial election should serve as a referendum on performance, not entitlement. A scorecard-driven evaluation ensures that leadership is earned, not assumed.
NEFERTITI, a prominent supporter of Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi, has claimed that the sustained criticism directed at Obi by several political figures reflects the growing influence of the former Anambra State governor ahead of the 2027 elections.
In a post shared on X, NEFERTITI alleged that a number of politicians and public commentators had focused their attacks on Obi, suggesting that the attention underscored his political relevance.
According to the post, individuals including Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, Minister of Works Dave Umahi, Labour Party factional leader Julius Abure, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo, and former Edo State governor Adams Oshiomhole had all targeted Obi in their public remarks.
“The entire Establishment is attacking one man,” the post stated.
NEFERTITI also pointed to what she described as a pattern of political leaders making repeated assurances of electoral support for President Bola Tinubu in their respective states. She listed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Works Minister Dave Umahi, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, and Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori among those allegedly making such commitments.
The X user argued that the repeated declarations by political office holders highlighted the pressure Obi was exerting on Nigeria’s political establishment.
“Our man is on everyone’s lips,” NEFERTITI wrote, adding that it takes significant political influence for “one man to put Aso Rock and the entire Establishment under constant pressure.”
The comments come amid increasing political activity and early positioning by key actors ahead of the 2027 general elections, with supporters of various political figures intensifying debates over the country’s leadership and future electoral prospects.
Neither the individuals mentioned in the post nor the Presidency had responded to the claims at the time of filing this report.
A northern social media influencer and supporter of Peter Obi, Shehu Gazali Sadiq, has reiterated his position that Atiku may not feature on the ballot in the 2027 general elections, citing recent legal developments involving the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In a post shared on social media, Sadiq recalled that he had predicted two weeks earlier that Atiku would not contest the 2027 presidential election under the ADC platform, adding that many had dismissed his comments at the time.
According to him, a High Court in Abuja has now directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a development he argued could significantly affect the party’s political calculations ahead of the next election cycle.
Sadiq maintained that although the ADC is expected to challenge the ruling on appeal, such efforts would be futile because the party’s leadership dispute remains the subject of ongoing litigation.
He further urged the ADC to merge its structure with the NDC and throw its support behind Peter Obi for the presidency in 2027.
“It is time to advise the ADC to collapse its structure into NDC and support Peter Obi for president,” he wrote, expressing optimism about the country’s future by concluding that “Nigeria will be OK.”
The comments reflect the growing political debates and realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, as parties and stakeholders continue to position themselves in an evolving political landscape.
Winners of primary elections conducted by the African Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 elections are in panic mode.
This is following an Abuja Federal High Court order on Monday that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should deregister the party and four others.
The affected parties are the African
Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
Observers had said the development could significantly reshape the political landscape ahead of the 2027 general election.
Already, sources said some candidates of the ADC are seriously jittery as over the uncertainties surrounding the party’s participation in the coming elections.
A top party member told newsdiggers.com that the court decision has unsettled many candidates.
“‘ Obviously, there is anxiety. The candidates can’t be merrying or partying over such order. It is better to lose at the polls than to be prevented from taking part in this controversial manner.”
He added: ” Any candidate who is not strong willed can develop high blood pressure and slump because they have spent so much financially, psychologically and emotionally to this this far.”
A source close to a candidate in the Southeast said. “My principal became instantly feverish immediately the news broke yesterday.”
In spite of the party assurance that it would participate in the election, the source said the principal remains pessimistic, saying: “He fears that even if they participate, the court can still turn around and nullify the results especially in places where ADC does well.”
Delivering the judgment that has put the fate of ADC in the balance, Justice Peter Lifu held that the parties failed to meet the constitutional requirements necessary to retain their registration and directed INEC to take steps to deregister them.
The suit was instituted by a group of former lawmakers, who asked the court to determine whether INEC was constitutionally obligated to deregister political parties that failed to satisfy the performance benchmarks outlined in Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
According to the plaintiffs, the affected parties consistently failed to meet the conditions required for continued registration. These include securing at least 25 per cent of votes cast in a state during a presidential election or winning elective positions at the national, state, or local government levels.
The group argued that the five parties did not attain the prescribed electoral threshold during the 2023 general election and subsequent by-elections conducted by INEC.
They contended that allowing the parties to remain on the register despite their poor electoral performance amounted to a violation of constitutional provisions and undermined the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.
The plaintiffs also urged the court to compel INEC to deregister the parties before preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.
In addition, they sought an order restraining the affected parties from participating in elections, conducting party primaries, organising rallies, or engaging in other political activities pending compliance with constitutional requirements.
In his ruling, Justice Lifu upheld the arguments of the plaintiffs and ordered INEC to deregister the five political parties.
The judgment could have major political implications, particularly for the ADC, which has recently been linked to opposition coalition talks ahead of the 2027 presidential election. However, it remains unclear whether the affected parties will challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.
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