The 2027 governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Delta State, Great Ovedje Ogboru, has expressed confidence that the state can experience a new era of development and good governance, insisting that the people deserve a better alternative.
Ogboru spoke on Friday while addressing journalists at his country home in Abraka, Ethiope East Local Government Area, where he said Deltans had endured over two decades of what he described as poor governance and electoral irregularities, stressing that the time had come for a change.
He noted that the political landscape in the state currently features three major contenders; the All Progressives Congress (APC), the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the New Democratic Congress (NDC), but argued that the ADC remained the only platform capable of restoring democratic values and meaningful development.
According to him, the APC had already been tested by Nigerians and had failed to meet the expectations of the people, while the ADC offers hope and the opportunity to correct the mistakes of the past.
“The essence of leadership is not the acquisition of power but adding value to society. ADC will defend democracy and place the country and Delta State on the path of good governance, integrity, accountability and responsibility,” he said.
Ogboru also described the massive reception accorded him by supporters at the airport earlier in the day as evidence that many Deltans were yearning for change.
He commended long-standing supporters who, according to him, had remained steadfast despite years of political disappointments and challenges.
He said members of the party were convinced that change was possible and pledged that the ADC would, in the coming weeks and months, articulate its programmes and present its vision to the people without engaging in unnecessary exchanges with political opponents.
“There is a clear difference between darkness and light. We will present the issues to the people and allow them to make their choice,” he stated.
Responding to questions on fears of electoral malpractice, Ogboru alleged that Delta State had witnessed a history of flawed elections since 2003, claiming that several candidates were declared winners despite allegedly losing at the polls.
He, however, expressed optimism that increasing public awareness and growing resistance to electoral misconduct would make it more difficult for such practices to persist.
“We have suffered electoral oppression in this state for years, but society has evolved and people are now asking questions. They want something different and we will continue to educate them on the need to reject vote buying and resist any attempt to undermine the electoral process,” he said.
The ADC governorship candidate maintained that while electoral malpractice had influenced outcomes in the past, the influence of such practices had diminished considerably and expressed confidence that the will of the people would ultimately prevail in the 2027 governorship election.
