A lecturer at Arden University, Emmanuel Unuafe, has emerged as the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress in Delta State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Unuafe, 45, secured the party’s ticket after emerging as the consensus candidate during the ADC governorship primary election held in Asaba, the Delta State capital.
Chairman of the ADC Screening and Primary Election Committee in Delta State, Jerry Ojale, announced Unuafe as the winner, stating that he was the only aspirant who successfully met the party’s requirements after the screening process.
According to Ojale, several individuals initially showed interest in contesting the governorship ticket, but only Unuafe qualified at the end of the process.
“We have our party constitution and guidelines. Many people indicated interest, but after the screening process, only one person qualified,” he said.
ADC Dismisses Factional Crisis Claims
Ojale also dismissed speculations about factional divisions within the party in Delta State, insisting that the ADC leadership recognised only one state chairman.
“We have only one Delta State chairman whose name is on the INEC portal, Engr. Austin Okolie. We also have only one state secretariat in Asaba. If there is any faction, I am not aware,” he stated.
Delta State ADC Chairman, Austin Okolie, described the successful conduct of the primary as a “new dawn” for the party in the state.
Unuafe Promises Economic Diversification
In his acceptance speech, Unuafe pledged to transform Delta State into an economic powerhouse through agriculture, digital governance, sports development and rural investment.
The ADC candidate said his administration would focus on diversifying the state economy away from oil and gas by investing heavily in agriculture and agro-export businesses.
“It is our vision to diversify our economy from oil and gas to agriculture. Agro businesses now enjoy tax exemptions, which means investors and farmers will have more money to grow their businesses,” he said.
Unuafe, who described himself as someone from a humble background, said his emergence as the ADC candidate showed that ordinary citizens could aspire to leadership positions without political godfathers.
“I was not born with a silver spoon. I don’t believe in godfatherism and I don’t have one. My administration will ensure that children of ordinary people can aspire to become leaders,” he added.
Plans for Sports, Blue Economy and Digital Governance
The governorship hopeful also promised to expand opportunities in Delta’s blue economy, particularly in riverine communities, while investing in sports talent development using his international connections as a football referee in the United Kingdom.
He further pledged to digitise government operations to reduce financial leakages and improve workers’ welfare.
According to him, modern technology would help improve transparency in governance and increase internally generated revenue available for infrastructure and public services.
Unuafe lamented the collapse of once-thriving businesses in the state, including Delta Glass and the Asaba Textile Mill, promising to revive economic activities and create more jobs for residents.
He also vowed to prioritise rural development, primary healthcare and the welfare of judiciary workers if elected governor in 2027.
