Ahead of the 2027 governorship elections in Delta State and the proposed endorsement of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori by Ijaws in Delta as their sole candidate, an Ijaw leader, peace and development advocate, Mulade Sheriff, has declared that Ijaw votes would be determined by projects allocated and adequately funded in the 2026 budget.

The human and environmental rights activists made the declaration at a press briefing after an expanded stakeholders meeting in Warri on behalf of Ijaw ethnic nationality in the state.

According to the Ibe-Sorimowei of the Gbaramatu Kingdom, the adequate inclusion and funding of projects in the riverine areas will serve as critical consideration for political support, and riverine communities predominantly occupied by the Ijaws and Itsekiris.

While he commended the infrastructural development stride by Oborevwori in the upland areas, Mulade, however, lamented the absence of such infrastructural revolution in the riverine areas of the state, despite the population density and huge revenue contributions to the state as host to multinational oil and gas companies.

“I want to sincerely  appreciate His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for the infrastructural development, which I described as infrastructural revolution in the state, particularly in the upland,  and your proposed commissioning of the reconstructed Odimodi-Ogulagha road earlier constructed by SPDC in the 1980’s for their operational convenience and community residents.

“It is imperative to state that some Ijaw communities such as Ogulagha, Torugbene, Oporoza, Akugbene, Ojobo etc. are more densely populated than some local government headquarters in the upland, but they are deliberately deprived of development because of the so-called claim of terrain challenges.

“These communities host multinational oil and gas companies contributing immensely to the state revenue, but without any significant projects,” he lamented.

The Ibe-Sorimowei, who reminded the governor of how the Ijaws adopted, supported and stood by him all through the election season, also assured him massive Ijaw votes in 2027, but one that must be backed by his commitment to development through massive projects inclusion for the area.

“We (the Ijaws) have created a conducive atmosphere to boost oil and gas production, making Delta the richest state; support security, douse restiveness and support economic stability. It is time for the governor to reciprocate through the 2026 budget with tangible legacy projects.

 “Your Excellency, permit me to draw your attention to some expected critical projects that must be considered for the Delta Ijaw nation: the Ayakoromo bridge, Omadino-Okerenkoko-Kokodiagbene-Escravos road, Aladja-Ogbe-Ijoh Road, Ojobo-Torugbene road, among others.

“Build a first class Health Centre/General Hospital in riverine community,  particularly at Ogulagha Town, to compensate the people for their huge contributions to the state revenue.

“It is worthy of note that every ethnic group in Delta State hosts state university except the Ijaws and the Itsekiris. I want to strongly and sincerely appeal to His Excellency, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori once again, to consider the upgrading of the Delta State Maritime Polytechnic, Burutu, which is a moribund polytechnic, to a campus of the Delta State University, Abraka. This will position the state to explore the blue economy opportunities. Equally too, the state government should, without delay, build a campus of Dennis Osadebe University at Koko to give a sense of belonging to the Itsekiris with a special focus on agriculture for Deltans.

“The above-mentioned projects constitute significant live-wire for the Delta Ijaw, and will translate into votes come 2027. We can assure His Excellency, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, of 100 percent of the entire Ijaw votes come 2027.

“The consideration of revolutionary projects in the riverine areas in the 2026 budget will give a sense of belonging to the people for their huge contributions. Moreover, your commitment to development will write your name in gold, not just seeking their votes during elections,” he stated.