Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, has dismissed allegations by the Delta Central senatorial candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was plotting to eliminate him, describing the claim as an attempt to create tension and attract media attention.
Aniagwu, who spoke at a press conference in Asaba, said there was no basis for any confrontation between Oborevwori and Omo-Agege ahead of the 2027 elections, stressing that both politicians were contesting different positions and would not appear on the same ballot.
According to him, while Omo-Agege is seeking election to represent Delta Central Senatorial District, Oborevwori is seeking re-election as Governor of Delta State.
“Oborevwori is not running for the Delta Central Senatorial election. He is running for the position of Governor of Delta State. So, they are not on the same ballot. He is neither a competitor nor a contestant in Omo-Agege’s senatorial election,” Aniagwu said.
He described Omo-Agege’s allegation as an attempt to manufacture controversy and generate sympathy at the outset of his campaign.
Aniagwu said: “How do you, on the first day of starting your campaign, begin to look for where to create tension and elicit sympathy by saying that somebody wants to eliminate you? Eliminate you for what?”
The commissioner recalled that Oborevwori and Omo-Agege contested against each other in the 2023 governorship election, saying the then-Governor-elect defeated his rival fairly and squarely on the strength of his personality, credibility and acceptance among Deltans.
He argued that Oborevwori had since gone beyond personal popularity, with the achievements of his administration under the MORE Agenda providing tangible evidence of his capacity to govern.
“Now that his credibility has manifested in his performance and it has become visible that Sheriff can work, why would he leave his lane and begin to look for you, particularly when you are not on the same ballot?” Aniagwu asked.
The commissioner alleged that Omo-Agege’s accusation was calculated to divert attention from the achievements of the Oborevwori administration and secure media space for his campaign.
He said the governor’s administration had continued to produce positive developments and would not be distracted by what he described as “stories that do not add up.”
Aniagwu said the administration had enough achievements to occupy the media space without resorting to political mudslinging.
“We have a lot of positive things that we are going to continue to unfold. On a daily basis, Oborevwori has something to show. We do not even have enough time to showcase all that we are doing,” he said.
He urged Omo-Agege to focus on telling the people of Delta Central what he intended to do for them if elected, rather than making allegations against the governor.
According to Aniagwu, “our stories are already told in our villages. Those stories are very clear, evident of what the governor promised and what we have delivered.”
He also defended the political strength of the Oborevwori administration, particularly the governor’s ability to unite stakeholders and strengthen the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
Aniagwu said that prior to Oborevwori’s emergence, the APC in Delta had been deeply divided, but that the governor’s leadership had brought previously opposing tendencies together.
“I am sure all of you know that the APC under him was very much polarised. But the entry of Governor Oborevwori has unified the party to the extent that, apart from him, every other person has come to the same page because the governor has provided leadership,” he said.
He cited the conduct of the party’s recent primary elections as evidence of the level of unity achieved under Oborevwori, saying stakeholders were able to speak with one voice and move in the same direction.
Aniagwu, however, said the administration would remain focused on delivering its promises under the MORE Agenda rather than engaging its political opponents in unnecessary exchanges.
“We will not be distracted by stories that have variance with reality, particularly coming from somebody who is not even of the same political contest with the governor,” he said.
He stressed that the safety and welfare of every Deltan, including Omo-Agege, remained important to the Oborevwori administration, dismissing any suggestion that the governor would support violence or harm against a political opponent.
“Our desire to bring investment, having been able to create a conducive living environment, is a priority. No kind of side comments will make us lose sight of that. The lives of our people matter, including his own, and Oborevwori will do everything within his power as governor to ensure that everybody lives in safety,” Aniagwu said.
He advised Omo-Agege to concentrate on his senatorial campaign and articulate his programme for Delta Central, rather than seeking relevance through allegations against the governor.
“Let us advise our brother to stay with his campaign and stop looking for stories that do not add up,” he said.
Aniagwu expressed confidence that Deltans would judge the Oborevwori administration by its record of performance when they approach the polls in 2027.
“Deltans have seen the developments that have greeted our state in the last three years, and I am very convinced that Deltans, being people who look out for what is good, will definitely be looking in the direction of Governor Oborevwori as they approach the ballot box in February 2027,” he said.
