Delta Governor Calls Anti-Tinubu Vote 'Evil' — Deltans React

Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has declared that voting against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would constitute an evil act, describing the President as family in a statement that has ignited fierce debate across Nigeria's political landscape. The remarks, delivered during a public engagement in Asaba, mark an escalation in the ruling All Progressives Congress campaign tactics ahead of the 2027 elections. First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, whose influence has grown significantly within APC structures, has not publicly commented on the governor's choice of language.

Governor Sparks Controversy in Asaba

Speaking at a campaign rally attended by thousands in Asaba on Saturday, Oborevwori departed from conventional political rhetoric, framing the upcoming election as a moral rather than civic obligation. "Voting against Tinubu will be evil. He is our in-law," the governor told the crowd, a reference to Tinubu's Yoruba heritage and longstanding political ties to the Niger Delta. The statement drew immediate reactions from opposition figures who accused the governor of undermining democratic principles. Political analysts in Abuja say the comments reflect growing desperation within APC ranks as opposition coalitions gain momentum in several southern states.

Who Is Sheriff Oborevwori?

Sheriff Oborevwori has governed Delta State since 2023, steering the state through economic headwinds driven by naira depreciation and rising fuel costs. His administration has prioritised infrastructure development in Warri and Effurun, though critics point to persistent unemployment figures exceeding 23 percent among young people. The governor's alignment with Tinubu has been consistent since taking office, with Delta receiving federal allocations that opposition parties claim have been contingent on political loyalty. Oborevwori previously served as Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, a position that gave him deep connections to local power brokers across the state's 25 local government areas.

First Lady's Growing Political Footprint

While Oluremi Tinubu did not make the journey to Delta for this event, her presence looms large over the campaign. Sources within APC National Headquarters in Abuja confirm the First Lady has taken an increasingly active role in candidate endorsements and resource mobilisation. Her foundation, the Fresh and Young Brains Development Initiative, has channelled funds into women's entrepreneurship programmes across southern Nigeria, a strategy analysts say aims to consolidate female voter support. Governors who align publicly with the First Lady's initiatives have received favourable attention, while those perceived as lukewarm face pressure from party structures. Oborevwori's inflammatory language may be designed to demonstrate his unwavering loyalty at a moment when some APC members harbour doubts about the administration's direction.

Opposition Responds

The Peoples Democratic Party, which governs several states in the South-South region, immediately condemned Oborevwori's remarks. PDP National Chairman Jobi Danjuma issued a statement labelling the governor's comments as an assault on voter intelligence. "Nigerians do not need to be told who their family is come election day," Danjuma wrote. The Labour Party, which secured unexpected victories in previous cycles, called for an investigation into whether federal resources were being deployed to support APC candidates through informal networks. Both parties have announced plans to deploy thousands of election observers across Delta's 25 LGAs, hoping to counter what they describe as systemic bias in favour of the ruling party.

What Voters in Delta Are Saying

Reactions among ordinary Deltans ranged from agreement to alarm. In Warri, market traders interviewed by this newspaper offered mixed views, with some echoing the governor's framing and others dismissing it as political theatre. A teacher in Effurun, who asked not to be named, said voters had grown weary of being told how to think. "We know who feeds our families. Politicians should talk about roads and electricity, not call us evil," she said. Community leaders in the oil-producing communities of Burutu and Warri South have raised concerns that federal neglect of the Niger Delta will continue regardless of election outcomes, pointing to unresolved grievances over the Derivation Principle and environmental remediation. These communities represent a pivotal voting bloc that both APC and opposition parties are actively courting.

What Happens Next

The Independent National Electoral Commission has set October 2027 as the date for the next general election cycle, leaving approximately fourteen months for political mobilisation. APC officials in Delta are expected to organise town hall meetings across the state's 25 LGAs in the coming weeks, using the governor's comments as a rallying point for base supporters. However, the controversial framing carries risks for a party already navigating economic anxiety, as it may alienate swing voters in urban centres like Asaba and Sapele. Opposition coalitions are scheduled to announce their presidential candidate by March, a development that will test whether Oborevwori's hardline stance resonates nationally or becomes a liability. Watch for the First Lady's next public engagement, widely expected to take place in Lagos before the end of the quarter, for signals about how the party intends to balance loyalty displays with broader electoral appeal.