2027: Oborevwori’s Record Too Visible To Challenge, Aniagwu Tells Critics
By PAULINA NZERUBE
Aniagwu Defends Oborevwori Administration Against Political Criticism
DELTA State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, has defended the performance of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration, insisting that its record in governance and infrastructure has become too visible to be undermined by political attacks ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Aniagwu spoke on Sunday during an appearance on ARISE News‘ The Morning Show, where he addressed criticisms of the Delta State Government and the emerging political calculations shaping the state’s political environment.
The commissioner argued that the administration’s performance had provided it with a strong defence against accusations of non-performance.
According to him, the government’s focus remains on governance, infrastructure and economic development rather than political exchanges.
Savings, Solvency & Resource Management
Aniagwu also responded to comments attributed to former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, concerning Delta State’s savings with the Central Bank of Nigeria.
He argued that references to the state’s savings amounted to an acknowledgement of the government’s management of public resources.
“If you Google him, you will see where he said that we have saved so much money with the CBN. Why are we saving money? He has even mentioned it, which means an acknowledgement of the fact that our government has been able to manage our resources,” Aniagwu said.
The commissioner maintained that the state had strengthened its financial position through what he described as Governor Oborevwori’s prudent management of available resources.
“We are not only solvent, we are also very liquid. And we did not become liquid by accident. We became liquid because our governor is a very, very prudent manager of resources,” he said.
$100 Million Investment Plan & Economic Ambitions
Aniagwu cited the recently held Delta State Economic and Investment Summit as another indication of the administration’s economic agenda.
He referred to Governor Oborevwori’s announcement of plans to commit $100 million as a de-risking fund designed to attract investments into the state.
According to him, the proposed initiative reflected the administration’s confidence in the state’s economic capacity and its determination to encourage greater private-sector participation.
“That tells you the strength of the economy,” Aniagwu said.
The investment fund, he suggested, formed part of a broader effort to position Delta as a destination for investors while expanding opportunities for economic growth and employment.
Project Mobilisation & Infrastructure Delivery
The commissioner also pointed to the government’s approach to financing infrastructure projects.
According to Aniagwu, the administration provides mobilisation payments of up to 40 per cent for contractors handling awarded projects.
He said the policy had helped contractors move quickly to project sites and had contributed to the pace of project delivery.
“For each of the projects that we award, we give as much as 40 per cent mobilisation. No state is doing that in Nigeria,” he said.
Aniagwu maintained that the policy had enabled the government to complete several projects on schedule, while others had been delivered ahead of their projected completion dates.
He said the results of the MORE Agenda extended beyond road construction and could be seen across different sectors of the state.
Roads as the Most Visible Measure of Performance
Road infrastructure featured prominently in Aniagwu’s defence of the administration.
He argued that improvements in road networks had made movement easier for residents and businesses across different parts of the state.
“Today you can travel very smoothly without any single pothole all the way from Asaba down to Ughelli and then proceed to Warri on the federal corridor. That has been made possible by the effort of the Oborevwori administration,” he said.
For the commissioner, infrastructure has become one of the administration’s strongest political arguments as attention gradually turns towards the 2027 elections.
He insisted that political opponents could debate government policies but could not easily dismiss projects that residents could physically see in their communities.
“His footprints are very, very bold and visible. He knows that he cannot accuse Oborevwori of not performing. He knows that Oborevwori has performed beyond the expectations of many,” Aniagwu said.
Politics & the Road to 2027
Aniagwu dismissed suggestions that political realignments within Delta could weaken the governor’s support base.
He argued that electoral contests would ultimately depend on the record of those seeking public support, the strength of their political structures and their connection with grassroots communities.
The commissioner also accused Omo-Agege of using criticisms of the government to attract media attention.
He referred to the political career of Senator Ede Dafinone, arguing that political strength is built through performance and grassroots engagement.
Aniagwu said the Oborevwori administration had no intention of allowing political exchanges to distract it from its responsibilities.
“Our route is to continue to stay on the path of governance,” he said.
Grassroots Reception & the Politics of Infrastructure
The commissioner further argued that the administration’s strongest political asset remained the reaction of communities benefiting from government projects.
He cited the governor’s recent visits to communities and farms, where residents reportedly turned out to receive him.
According to Aniagwu, such responses reflected appreciation for infrastructure and development projects.
“What is pushing them is that they are seeing the infrastructure in their villages,” he said.
He maintained that the government would continue to prioritise economic opportunities, infrastructure and development for residents rather than engage in prolonged political disputes.
As political activity gradually builds towards 2027, Aniagwu’s intervention reflects an emerging strategy by the administration: to present the government’s development record as its principal response to political criticism.
