Tinubu’s Reforms & Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda Will Boost APC Support, Aniagwu Says
Commissioner links political support to government policies
DELTA State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, has linked the growing support for President Bola Tinubu and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori in Delta to what he described as the performance of their administrations.
Speaking on TVC’s Politics Tonight, he dismissed claims that the large crowds attending APC political engagements were rented.
Instead, Aniagwu maintained that residents voluntarily attended the gatherings because they appreciated the administration’s projects and policies.
He cited development interventions in Warri South-West Local Government Area as evidence of the Oborevwori administration’s impact on communities.
According to him, the governor’s inclusive approach and projects across the state’s 25 local government areas had strengthened public confidence.
He insisted that the excitement and applause at political gatherings reflected genuine support rather than paid mobilisation.
Economic reforms form part of the argument
Aniagwu also defended the economic reforms introduced by Tinubu, arguing that Nigerians should assess the administration based on its policy decisions and their outcomes.
He explained that the political circumstances in 2023 differed from the present situation because Tinubu was then a presidential candidate who had yet to implement his economic agenda.
Now that the President has been in office, the commissioner said Nigerians have an opportunity to evaluate the effects of those policies.
He acknowledged that the reforms involved difficult decisions because the administration inherited structural economic challenges.
Nevertheless, Aniagwu argued that the removal of petroleum subsidy had coincided with improved petrol availability compared with the scarcity experienced before the current government.
He recalled that Nigerians previously struggled to find petrol and sometimes paid as much as ₦2,000 per litre when supplies were available.
Although he recognised that affordability remained a serious concern, he expressed optimism that the reforms and measures to improve purchasing power would gradually ease household pressures.
Delta highlights workers’ welfare policy
Turning to state-level initiatives, Aniagwu praised the Oborevwori administration’s approach to fiscal management and policy implementation.
He particularly highlighted the third-month salary payment policy for Delta public servants, which he said had received legislative backing.
According to him, the legal framework would help sustain the arrangement beyond the present administration.
He added that the policy provides an additional salary payment calculated on the same basis as workers’ regular monthly earnings.
Furthermore, Aniagwu argued that Delta’s MORE Agenda and the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda shared the objective of improving living conditions, expanding opportunities and promoting economic development.
He maintained that the success of both programmes should depend on practical implementation rather than the promises contained in their respective political manifestos.
New social investment programme targets 50,000 residents
The commissioner also disclosed that the Delta State Government was preparing to commence another social investment programme.
He said the State Executive Council had approved the initiative, which would provide support to 50,000 Deltans.
According to him, the programme would make financial assistance available to residents and help improve their economic circumstances.
Aniagwu presented the proposed intervention as part of the state government’s efforts to complement federal economic policies with programmes addressing residents’ needs.
Political realignment ahead of the 2027 elections
Meanwhile, the commissioner identified the defection of Governor Oborevwori and several former PDP leaders to the APC as a significant development in Delta politics.
He argued that the alignment between the state and federal governments had created opportunities for closer cooperation and improved access to national development initiatives.
In his view, the relationship would strengthen the APC’s political position ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Aniagwu therefore maintained that the Oborevwori administration’s development programmes, combined with Tinubu’s economic reforms, provided the basis for the support both governments were receiving.
He expressed confidence that the APC could build on that support across Delta’s 25 local government areas in its bid to secure electoral backing in 2027.
