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From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
His emergence as the fifth executive governor of oil rich Delta State, shocked his co-contestants in the March 18, 2023 governorship election.
Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori’s opponents obviously underrated his capacity and huge support underlined by his excessive local contents and street credibility.
Oborevwori came into the contest not as a favourite for the plum office, as he joined the race for the governorship ticket of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state very late.
Like the Biblical David, Oborevwori was not desperate, he was rather sought out for the crown by power brokers who urged him to contest the election, hence the perceived divine hands upon his emergence.
All orchestrated plots to stop him through litigations challenging his eligibility based on perceived fraudulent academic credentials, pre and post primary elections, fell like a pack of cards, with the courts dismissing the suits.
While supporters of his major opponent in the general election relentlessly believed that Oborevwori would be overwhelmed at the polls, they were oblivious of his overwhelming acceptance by the majority of Deltans who are at home with his calm, amiable, tactful and humble disposition.
However, Oborevwori is not a green horn in the murky waters of Nigerian politics, having cut his political teeth in 1996 as councilor/supervisory councilor for works in the old Okpe Local Government Area.
Former governor, James Ibori spotted his leadership qualities, and appointed him as Special Assistant on Youth Development, a position he held from 2003 – 2006.
Ibori’s successor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, also appointed him as Special Adviser on Land Security from 2007 to 2010; State Coordinator for the Amnesty Programme (2009 – 2010); and Senior Special Assistant on Security (2012 – 2014).
In 2015, Oborevwori won election to represent Okpe constituency at the state House of Assembly. Two years into the tenure, precisely on May 11, 2017, his colleagues unanimously elected him as Speaker of the House of the 6th Assembly, following the ouster of erstwhile Speaker, Monday Igbuya.
He sought re-election in 2019 and won, and again, got the overwhelming endorsement of his colleagues to continue as Speaker of the 7th Assembly, a development that made him the longest serving Speaker since the creation of Delta State in 1991.
At the national level, Oborevwori served as treasurer and deputy chairman of Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria.
Oborevwori holds a B.Sc. degree in Political Science from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma in Edo State and also an M.Sc. Political Science from Delta State University, Abraka, in addition to leadership certificates from global institutions. He is also a member of professional bodies.
Born on June 19, 1963 to the family of Chief Samuel Oborevwori of Osubi in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State, the governor had his early primary and post primary education in Effurun and Oghareki respectively.
A grassroots mobilizer, administrator and philanthropist, Oborevwori has impacted lives through scholarships to students and provision of empowerment support programmes.
In recognition of his community leadership and contributions to the growth and development of Okpe Kingdom, he was conferred with the traditional title of Ukodo of Okpe by HRM Orhorho I, Orodje of Okpe Kingdom.
With his vast experience in governance, particularly in the last six years when he played a stabilising role in the state legislature, creating a harmonious working relationship with the executive arm, Deltans are expecting a very sustained tempo of development in the state.
Residents in the state expect the new administration of Oborevwori to first of all complete all strategic projects of the Okowa administration before initiating new ones in order to give expression to his M.O.R.E. agenda geared towards consolidation and sustenance of good governance.
According to Oborevwori, the M.O.R.E agenda “is designed to continue and expand the infrastructural and human capital development programmes of the Okowa administration. The vision is to keep Delta State ahead in all aspects of social and economic wellbeing.
“For those who may still be in the dark, M.O.R.E. is an acronym for Meaningful development; Opportunities for all; Realistic reforms; and Enhanced peace and security. My promise to all Deltans is that I will listen more, do more and achieve more.”
Among the infrastructure projects that majority of the people want Oborevwori to complete within the next 365 days are the dualisation of the Ughelli-Asaba road, cutting across the three senatorial districts; the Ayakoromor bridge; the Beneku bridge in Ndokwa area; the storm drainage in Warri and its environs; among others.
