Written Off, Now Applauded: Oborevwori’s Remarkable Turnaround

Sheriff Oborevwori encountered strong criticism from some members of the state’s political elite in the run-up to the 2023 Delta State gubernatorial election. His opponents, who included prominent members of his own Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the time as well as rivals from the then-dominant opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), rejected him as a failure because he lacked the gravitas, exposure, and carriage necessary to lead a complicated state like Delta.

Commentators agreed, speculating on whether the former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly had the foresight and intelligence to lead the oil-rich state.

Governor Oborevwori, however, has not only silenced his detractors with his outstanding performance since taking office on May 29, 2023, but he has also inspired a surge of admiration throughout Delta State. Regardless of party affiliation or personal opinion, there is a general feeling of surprise: “This is beyond our expectations.”

Locals, businesspeople, and even longtime detractors now publicly praise and thank a leader whose efforts have revolutionized the state’s infrastructure like never before.

Utilizing his MORE Agenda, which stands for Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Realistic Reforms, and Enhanced Peace and Security, Oborevwori has started and finished projects that have an impact on every part of the state, from remote riverine communities to urban centers, for which he receives praise everywhere he goes. In Delta, he has redesigned governance.

The key to Oborevwori’s success has been his emphasis on road infrastructure, which is essential for economic development in a state with a variety of topography and a strong reliance on transportation for trade, agriculture, and oil. The administration started 317 road projects throughout the state in his first year, which was an incredible amount that set the tone for his term. By the middle of 2025, there were over 600 road projects and 25 bridges, many of which were finished or almost ready for commissioning. The dualization of the Ughelli-Asaba Road, a 46-kilometer section in Sectors C1 and C2, is one notable accomplishment. It has improved communication between the Delta North and Central senatorial districts and reduced traffic congestion. Part of the 42 roads scheduled to be inaugurated at Oborevwori’s second anniversary celebrations in 2025, this project is a prime example of his dedication to long-lasting, significant projects.

Oborevwori has implemented revolutionary projects in the riverine areas that previous administrations forgot about. 15 bridges of varying spans were added to the Trans-Warri–Ode-Itsekiri corridor, a 20.95-kilometer access route that had lain dormant since 2006. This project, which connects ten towns in Warri South-West, has increased trade, facilitated economic opportunities, and enhanced mobility for locals. Likewise, the long-stalled Ayakoromo Bridge is currently undergoing full-scale construction, which holds the promise of connecting isolated Bomadi settlements to major centers. Other rural roads are improving access for agricultural areas, lowering post-harvest losses, and boosting local businesses. Examples of these include the 47-kilometer Ohoror–Bomadi Road and the Ogulaha–Okonti–Odimodi Road.

In places like Warri and Effurun, where traffic jams used to hinder business, urban renovation has been another essential component. Julius Berger and Oborevwori inked a N78 billion deal in 2023 for road extensions, flyovers, and cloverleaf interchanges. Crucial among these are the flyovers at Agbor’s Uromi Junction and Ughelli’s PTI Junction, DSC Roundabout, Enerhen Junction, and Otovwodo Junction. This year, the last two groundbreaking ceremonies were held. These buildings have improved urban mobility and drawn investments by decluttering important thoroughfares, especially when combined with the DSC/NPA Expressway’s expansion and pedestrian bridges. Examined in 2025 with joyous crowds, the Enerhen Junction Flyover epitomizes the feeling of “beyond expectation,” as locals celebrated the apparent change.

Unprecedented attention has also been paid to flood control and environmental resilience. In order to safeguard residences and commercial buildings, the Airport Road, Ugborikoko, Ugboroke, and Environs Flood Control Project in Asaba is in its third phase. Urban flooding is further reduced by extensive storm water drainage systems in Warri and Asaba, and the capital is positioned as a contemporary center for business and tourism thanks to the Waterfront City Project in Asaba, which is almost finished with access roads for mixed-use development.

In addition to building roads and bridges, Oborevwori’s government has placed a high priority on developing human capital and education. He demonstrated his dedication to skill development on February 2, 2026, with the opening of the Omadino Technical College in Warri South. With its capacity to instruct young people in technical careers, this facility supports the MORE Agenda’s focus on equal opportunity. Thousands of people have been equipped by comparable programs in his first two years, which has decreased unemployment and empowered the following generation.

Industrial and energy initiatives highlight Oborevwori’s progressive stance. With its goal of using the state’s resources for autonomous power generation and distribution, the Delta State Electricity Power Sector Bill, which was approved in 2024, is revolutionary. The Delta Azure Carbon Mosaic Project, which generates carbon-based income, and the Koko/Kwale Free Trade Zone, which has eleven anchor tenants, are the main forces behind industrialization. These endeavors diversify the economy away from reliance on oil while also generating jobs.

They have been made possible by fiscal restraint. Internally produced revenue increased from N83 billion in May 2023 to N158 billion by December 2024, and without tax increases, it is expected to surpass N200 billion by 2025. The administration’s avoidance of additional borrowing, reduction of legacy debts such as N8.4 billion in DESOPADEC liabilities and N10 billion in pension arrears, and prompt salary payments are the most admirable aspects of all of this.

There would be even greater acceleration in the 2026 budget, which was signed at over N1 trillion with 70% allocated to capital expenditures. An extra N4 billion for infrastructure has been given to each of the 25 local governments, which highlights the Oborevwori administration’s inclusive development agenda for the state. From the Kwale–Beneku Bridge in Ndokwa to the Okerenkoko–Pepeama–Kokodiagbene Road in Warri South-West, these projects involve all 25 local governments, guaranteeing that no region is left behind. Roads such as Okpolo-Enhwe-Uwheru and Emevor-Ivrogbo-Orogun are supporting agricultural development in Isoko.

International events will soon be held in the Warri Township Stadium, which underwent a complete refurbishment due to land constraints.

The public response has been tremendous, as was to be expected. The governor’s hands-on approach is praised by traders, and inspections of projects such as the Udu Harbour Market consistently attract enthusiastic crowds. In Delta State’s sociopolitical circles, Oborevwori’s moniker, “Ukodo,” is all over social media as Deltans applaud a leader who accomplishes goals without fanfare. Remarkably, Deltans’ opinions have expanded beyond merely appreciating Oborevwori’s performance. Now that it has advanced to a point where his legacy has been cemented, reelection is inevitable.

The concerns regarding Oborevwori’s suitability were unfounded in hindsight. His pragmatic governance is a result of his streetwise attitude, which he developed as a grassroots politician. A monument to leadership that puts people before politics, Delta State is not just growing but flourishing beyond all expectations.

As the MORE Agenda takes shape, the state anticipates a future of steady advancement where opportunities are abundant for everyone and infrastructure unites communities. Additionally, Deltans won’t exchange “Ukodo” for anyone else until his eight years under the constitution are up.