The National President of the Niger Delta Youth for Good Governance (NDYFGG), Comrade Lucky O.O. Ukueku, has called for a more pragmatic approach to governance and political mobilisation in Delta State, following Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s recent statement at the inauguration of the Delta State APC Campaign Council.

Comr. Ukueku, who is the First Elected Executive Pioneer National President of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) Scholarship Students Worldwide, stated this in a statement Issued in Abuja on Friday.

According to him, while he respects the office of the Governor, the recent boast that having the federal, state and local government structures will automatically guarantee victory for the APC in Delta State calls for sober reflection.

Speaking on the Governor’s speech, Ukueku said, “With due respect, political victory in 2027 will not be determined by structures alone, but by performance and the pulse of the people. The confidence expressed by His Excellency may not reflect the current reality on ground.”

He alleged that many Deltans had high expectations when the Governor described himself as a “Warri boy,” just as President Bola Tinubu is described as a “City boy,” hoping it would translate to people-oriented governance.

“Deltans expected more in terms of visible development and empowerment. There is a general feeling among youths that more can still be done,” he noted.

The youth leader alleged that aside from the three flyovers on the federal highway, the establishment of the Ozoro University campus in Okpe, the ongoing hospital project at Osubi, the Osubi road and a few other interventions, the impact of the administration is yet to be felt across the state as expected, given Delta’s status as one of the highest recipients of federal allocation.

He further alleged that the offices of Senior Special Assistant (SSA) and Special Assistant (SA) appear to have lost their empowerment value compared to previous administrations where appointees were supported to empower their followers.

He said: "It is alleged that governance has become quite difficult for many appointees and for the average Deltan. To that extent, the promise to deliver the President and all APC candidates may require more work on ground.”

Ukueku commended the PBAT Door-to-Door movement led by High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) and some performing local government chairmen, noting that their grassroots mobilisation is currently complementing the President’s visibility in the state.

He recalled the recent statement credited to the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, at the inauguration of the PBAT Door-to-Door movement, that state governments now have more funds than during his time, and that he jokingly said he would not mind returning as Governor if the Constitution allowed.

According to Ukueku, if former Governor Akpabio could build a world-class stadium in Uyo with less allocation at that time, and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, could deliver all candidates in his state In the last general election due to his performance, then performance should be the yardstick in Delta.

The NDYFGG President therefore challenged the Governor to redouble efforts to ensure that if the APC must be delivered in 2027, it should be on the basis of tangible performance that Deltans can see.

He added that the 2027 election would be keenly contested and would be more about the APC and the Nigerian people.

“Those celebrating the Governor today may be doing so because they are direct beneficiaries. But as a youth leader and member of the opposition, I have a duty to tell the truth constructively, in the interest of good governance,” he concluded.