Power, Betrayal & Ballot Politics: Re-examining Oborevwori’s Victory Narrative
Opening Salvo: Challenging a Governor’s Claim
I just watched Governor Sheriff Oborevwori speak in Lagos, where he claimed, “I won a Deputy Senate President who had all the money, federal might and structure.”
And honestly, it raises a simple question: who is advising him?
Because that statement, as bold as it sounds, doesn’t reflect the political reality many of us witnessed during the 2023 elections.
“You Were the Ballot Symbol”
Let’s be blunt. No, Sheriff—you were not the central force in that election.
The political engine behind that victory was Ifeanyi Okowa. You were the face on the ballot, yes—but not the structure that delivered the outcome.
You can contest that interpretation, but those who were active participants in that process know the difference between symbolism and machinery.
A Web of Internal Contradictions
The narrative becomes even more complicated when you examine what happened within the opposition.
The All Progressives Congress wasn’t exactly unified. Internal fractures, quiet defections, and strategic non-cooperation shaped the outcome more than public rhetoric ever admitted.
Key actors allegedly worked at cross-purposes. Some were physically absent on election day. Others failed to act when it mattered most. These are not rumours—they are lived political realities for those involved.
Money, Power, and the Question of Resources
Then comes the issue of money.
Let’s not pretend this was a level playing field. The argument that a Deputy Senate President had more resources than a sitting state government simply doesn’t hold.
Access to state resources—direct or indirect—played a decisive role. That is the uncomfortable truth many would rather gloss over.
Election Results and Uncomfortable Facts
Even the numbers raise questions.
You lost your polling unit. You lost your ward. Meanwhile, your opponent performed better in his own base.
In Delta Central, the story was far from a landslide. The margins tell a different story—one shaped by a combination of local dynamics, alleged irregularities, and political realignments across regions.
The Role of Power Brokers
Beyond the visible candidates, there were deeper layers of influence.
Decisions made in Abuja. Signals sent from powerful offices. Security deployments—or withdrawals—at critical moments.
These are the kinds of factors that don’t make headlines but often determine outcomes in Nigerian elections.
A Word on Political Consistency
Fast forward to today, and the contradictions become even sharper.
You now stand within the All Progressives Congress—a party you once opposed strongly.
If you truly believed your narrative about defeating “federal might,” why not test that confidence by staying where you were?
Setting the Record Straight
This isn’t about personal attacks—it’s about historical accuracy.
Those of us who played active roles in the 2023 elections are still here. We remember what happened. And when narratives are reshaped to elevate personal credit, we will respond.
Support can remain. Alignment can continue. But facts must not be rewritten.
Because in the end, posterity deserves the full story—not just the convenient version.
