A community leader in Umeh, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, Chief Duncan Afahokor, has said the community’s voting decisions ahead of the 2027 elections will be influenced by the development projects executed in the area by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration.
Afahokor, a lawyer and Founder of the Pan-Isoko Advocacy Group, Umeh Need Road Forum, said Umeh had witnessed tangible development since Oborevwori assumed office, particularly in road infrastructure, potable water, healthcare, education and street lighting.
Speaking on the political choices of the community, Afahokor said politics was fundamentally about interests, adding that Umeh residents had reasons to support the All Progressives Congress, APC, based on what he described as concrete evidence of development.
“Politics is a game of interest — whether personal or collective. For us in Umeh community, conscience demands that we stand with APC, and the reasons are clear, backed by evidence,” he said.
He recalled the devastating flooding that once threatened to cut off Umeh, damaging the community’s bridge and putting residents at risk.
According to him, the late President-General of Umeh, Pastor Simeon Emamowho, had led residents in physically confronting the flood before the intervention of the state government.
Afahokor said Oborevwori, with the support of Hon. Ferguson Onwo and the intervention of the then Commissioner for Works, Comrade Reuben Izeze, ensured the rehabilitation of the damaged bridge and reconstruction of the road.
He added that about 600 metres of the road was resurfaced by Setraco, which, according to him, remained on site for seven months to complete the work.
“That is no small feat,” he said.
The community leader also recalled the water-related health challenges suffered by Umeh, saying cholera outbreaks had previously claimed lives in the community.
He said 30 children died from cholera in 2009, while another four persons reportedly lost their lives in 2018 due to unsafe drinking water.
Afahokor said the water project delivered under the Oborevwori administration had significantly improved access to potable water, with residents now able to access clean water within a short distance of their homes.
He described the intervention as “life-saving progress.”
On healthcare, Afahokor said the community’s health centre, which was previously destroyed by flooding, was undergoing comprehensive reconstruction.
He said the facility was selected by the state among four health centres for UNICEF intervention and would, upon completion, feature a labour ward, male and female wards, offices and stores, as well as 24-hour solar power supply.
He commended the Isoko South Local Government Council, Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Onojaeme, and Chief Emamusi Obiodeh for their contributions towards ensuring the sustainability of healthcare services in the community.
Afahokor also cited the installation of streetlights through the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, as another intervention that had changed the character of Umeh at night.
He attributed the facilitation of the street-lighting project to Hon. Ferguson Onwo and Hon. Jonathan Ukodhiko, saying the intervention had improved both commercial activities and security.
“Where once the community slept by 8pm, commerce and security now thrive till midnight,” he said.
He added that Umeh Primary School was also receiving renovation under the state government’s education policy, describing the various interventions as projects that residents could physically identify.
“These are not promises, they are projects delivered,” he said.
While acknowledging that the community still required more interventions, particularly in human capital development, empowerment and creation of economic opportunities, Afahokor urged residents to recognise the projects already executed.
He said gratitude should form part of the basis for assessing government performance, stressing that ignoring completed projects would amount to ingratitude.
“Our votes must reflect appreciation for Governor Sheriff and his party. In Umeh, our votes are driven by projects, and we will vote accordingly,” Afahokor said.
