ASABA: The M.O.R.E. Reality Group (MRG) commends Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for his maturity and wisdom in addressing recent public discussions surrounding his interaction with Senator Ned Nwoko regarding the Okpai Independent Power Plant (IPP).
We applaud Governor Oborevwori’s level-headedness and statesmanship in responding to the negative speculation and criticism that followed claims about his alleged refusal to support the Okpai IPP project—suggesting that he was against the development of the Ndokwa Nation and Delta North.
The opportunity for the Governor to clarify the situation arose when the Ndokwa Neku Union, led by Brigadier General Mike Ndubuisi (rtd), visited him, enabling him to dispel the falsehoods surrounding Senator Nwoko’s statements.
In September, a viral video surfaced in which Senator Nwoko claimed he had met with Governor Oborevwori to request the step-down of 100 megawatts of power from the Okpai IPP for Delta North, but that the Governor had refused.
This claim sparked a media conflict between the Governor’s and Senator Nwoko’s media teams, further fueling tensions. Senator Nwoko also alleged that Governor Oborevwori had refused to intervene in the Ogwashi Uku Dam water distribution project and the Asaba-Oko-Ase-Patani coastal road project, further creating the impression that the Governor was neglecting Delta North in his development plans.
However, Governor Oborevwori has made it clear that he never discussed the Okpai IPP project or any of the other mentioned projects with Senator Nwoko. The only interaction between them was when Senator Nwoko sought appointments for some of his constituents, which the Governor granted.
The Governor addressed the issue during the Ndokwa Neku Union’s courtesy visit, stating that despite hearing the rumours, he chose not to respond initially, only offering his clarification now.
Governor Oborevwori’s clarification should have been enough to resolve the matter and reassure the people of Ndokwa Nation and Delta North. However, we were surprised by a recent response from the Directorate of Communication in Senator Nwoko’s office, which dismissed the Governor’s clarification as a “perplexing distortion of events,” accusing him of misleading the public.
The statement claims that Senator Nwoko has had repeated engagements with Governor Oborevwori and other senior party leaders about critical developmental issues, including the Okpai IPP, the Ogwashi Uku Dam, and the Asaba-Oko-Ase-Patani coastal road. This claim, however, lacks credibility, given that Senator Nwoko’s public persona thrives on publicity, and his alleged “consistent engagements” with Governor Oborevwori and other party leaders have never been reported in the media.
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It is difficult to believe that these “consistent engagements” occurred without attracting any public attention, especially given Senator Nwoko’s tendency to publicize his every move. This discrepancy raises questions about the true nature of these engagements and suggests that the media narrative may be deliberately manipulated for political gain.
While it is encouraging to note that Senator Nwoko’s media team acknowledged the Governor’s proposed ₦200 billion budget allocation for road infrastructure, we strongly disagree with their claim that Governor Oborevwori has been undermining Senator Nwoko’s position in state appointments. Such an accusation not only tarnishes the Senator’s reputation but also undermines his influence within his own political constituency.
The M.O.R.E. Reality Group also reminds Senator Nwoko’s team that while he has made contributions to the party’s success, the party’s decisions were key in his emergence as a Senator. It is essential to prioritize the collective interest of the party over individual ambitions, as the “party is supreme.”
In conclusion, we applaud Governor Oborevwori for handling the situation with maturity and for using the Ndokwa Neku Union visit to reaffirm his commitment to the development of Ndokwa Nation and Delta State as a whole. Governor Oborevwori stated: We discussed critical road infrastructure, education, empowerment, job opportunities for our youths, the progress we have made so far, and our future plans. As a government committed to inclusiveness, I assured the delegation that the Ndokwa Nation is not and would not be neglected by our administration.
With the Governor’s clarification, the M.O.R.E. Agenda remains firmly on track, and we are confident that his leadership will continue to bring development to all Deltans, including Ndokwa Nation.