2027: Ohanaeze Ndigbo Traders Back Tinubu, Oborevwori, Donate ₦25m, Two Campaign Vehicles, Hotel Accommodation

The Delta State chapter of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Traders and Independent Workers Association (ONTIWA) has declared support for the second-term bid of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the re-election bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The association made its position known when its state chairman, Deacon Samuel Okoye, led members on a visit to Governor Oborevwori at his country home in Osubi, Okpe Local Government Area, on Thursday.

The declaration comes amid increasing political mobilisation in Delta State ahead of the 2027 elections, with several groups and associations publicly announcing positions on the President and Governor.

As part of the association’s support for the 2027 campaigns, members presented two branded campaign vehicles to the governor and announced financial and logistical contributions towards the re-election efforts.

According to Okoye, Chief Okwudiri Ugochukwu donated one campaign vehicle and ₦5 million, while Chief Odinakachukwu Mgbenobi donated another vehicle and ₦10 million.

Mgbenobi also offered a wing of his hotel to accommodate campaign officials and visitors who may come into Delta State during the campaign period.

Another member, Prof. Sebastian Onu, pledged an additional ₦10 million, bringing the disclosed cash contributions to ₦25 million, excluding the value of the two vehicles and accommodation support.

Explaining the group’s decision, Okoye said the association’s support was based on what its members described as Governor Oborevwori’s performance, accessibility and commitment to the development of Delta State.

He said ONTIWA had begun grassroots mobilisation and planned to educate and sensitise its members on the political choices it was advocating.

Okoye said the group did not want ethnic considerations to determine its political decisions.

“This is not just about tribal influence. It is about the good and general interest of the entire state.”

He added: “We have gone back to our people and are educating and sensitising them. We are telling them that this is about development and the overall interest of our people.”

The association’s position adds to a series of political mobilisation activities in Delta State ahead of 2027. In recent months, other groups have also publicly declared support for Tinubu and Oborevwori.

Responding to the delegation, Governor Oborevwori thanked ONTIWA members for their support and described the gesture as evidence of the relationship between his administration and the Igbo business community in Delta State.

The governor linked his decision to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) to what he described as the need to strengthen Delta’s relationship with the Federal Government.

He urged the traders and other supporters to reciprocate that political move by supporting him and President Tinubu at the 2027 polls.

“If you love me, when the election comes, you must support me and Mr President. It is not about me alone; it is about the overall interest of our people.”

Oborevwori said he considered the interests of the business community before joining the APC. “Before I moved into APC, I thought about you. I thought about our relationship and the need to work together to move Delta forward.”

The governor also pointed to his background in the private sector as a factor that, according to him, gives him an understanding of the challenges facing traders, entrepreneurs and other business operators.

He recalled his longstanding interactions with members of the business community, stressing that his relationship with traders predated his political career.

“I am different from others because I came from the private sector. I have not worked in any office before. I understand the business environment and I have patronised you all.”

Oborevwori commended the association for its confidence in his administration and assured members that the state government would continue working to create an enabling environment for businesses to operate and grow.