THERE is a similarity between how Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori emerged governor of Delta State and the travails of Dr. Chris Ngige who rode the tiger and charted a fresh developmental course for Anambra State. Rather than bow to the wishes of a powerful godfather who wanted the state’s treasury handed over to him, Ngige chose to align with the people. Although he was eventually forced out of office, the new deal he gave his people within the short time he spent in office had permanently rewritten the script on governance in the state. His successors had a template to fall back on without the overbearing opposition of any godfather.
Oborevwori’s path to Government House, Asaba was riddled with thorns. In sum, he had to contend with 38 litigations from the point of nomination as his party’s flag bearer to the final judgment of the Supreme Court affirming his victory. It is a process that gave him a fast track insight into the dynamics of politics and toughened him on the challenges of governance – loyalty should go to the people and doing the right thing for them.
Today’s is his birthday. In his short time as governor of Delta State, Oborevwori has caught up in one year what some peers may not learn even after two terms of eight years in office. He is on the right track and Deltans are the better for it.
Happy birthday, Your Excellency.
