OGBORU 2027: ‘REGENERATE, REBUILD DELTA’ MANIFESTO WILL TRANSFORM STATE UKUANOVWE

The Delta State Youth Leader of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Prince Ukuanovwe Godstime OJ, has described the “Regenerate, Rebuild a New Delta” manifesto of the party’s 2027 governorship candidate, Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru, as a bold development blueprint capable of fundamentally changing the direction of governance and development in Delta State.

Ukuanovwe said the manifesto goes beyond campaign rhetoric, arguing that its proposals address what he described as some of the critical challenges confronting Deltans — from weak grassroots development and poverty to unemployment, poor infrastructure, inadequate social services and unreliable electricity.

The ADC youth leader, in a statement made available to journalists, said the manifesto provides “a clear roadmap for a new Delta where government is measured by its impact on the lives of ordinary people.”

According to him, “Regenerate, Rebuild a New Delta is not just a slogan. It represents a different approach to governance — one that seeks to move development from political promises to measurable programmes across the 25 local government areas.”

He particularly pointed to the proposed Equal Opportunity Local Government Development Initiative, which would allow all 25 local government areas to identify and execute projects according to their specific needs, with youths, communities and local institutions participating in implementation and accountability.

Ukuanovwe said such an approach would place grassroots communities closer to the centre of development planning.

He also highlighted the proposed ₦20,000 Community Household Support Initiative for 1,200 selected individuals or households in each of the state’s 25 local government areas.

The initiative, according to the manifesto, is designed to provide social protection, job and livelihood support, micro-enterprise financing, skills acquisition and financial literacy, while giving particular attention to widows, persons with disabilities and disadvantaged groups.

“This is the kind of conversation Delta youths should be interested in,” Ukuanovwe said.

“We need to move away from politics that begins and ends with elections. We need to examine what political parties are proposing to do with the mandate they are asking the people to give them.”

On the economy, the ADC youth leader said Ogboru’s manifesto recognises that Delta cannot depend indefinitely on a single economic sector.

He said the document proposes the development of agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, industrial and fabrication clusters, maritime transportation and logistics, as well as increased local participation in oil and gas services.

The manifesto also proposes improved access to finance, training, markets and modern technology.

Ukuanovwe argued that these proposals could create opportunities for young entrepreneurs, artisans, farmers and businesses if implemented as outlined.

INFRASTRUCTURE, ENVIRONMENT

On infrastructure and environmental management, Ukuanovwe said the manifesto proposes rehabilitation and maintenance of roads and drainage systems, improved waterways and transport infrastructure, flood and erosion control, better waste management and sanitation, as well as protection of rivers, wetlands, farmlands and coastal communities.

He said the inclusion of planned urban renewal and rural regeneration in the agenda showed an attempt to address development beyond major urban centres.

HEALTH, EDUCATION

Ukuanovwe further drew attention to the manifesto’s proposals on healthcare and education.

The health component includes upgrading healthcare facilities, improving workers’ welfare, free maternal care, support for children aged one to 10 years and healthcare for elderly retired workers.

On education, the manifesto proposes free and qualitative primary and secondary education, rehabilitation of schools, improved teacher welfare, technical and vocational education, skills training for students, tuition reduction and bursaries for Delta students, scholarships, research grants and an Education Trust Fund.

It also proposes the inclusion of local languages in the school curriculum.

For Ukuanovwe, the local-language component is particularly significant because, according to him, education and development should not be separated from the cultural identity of the people.

‘YOUTHS MUST BE AT THE CENTRE’

The ADC youth leader said the youth component of the manifesto was another major area that deserved attention.

The document proposes entrepreneurship and apprenticeship programmes, digital skills and innovation hubs, access to finance and employment, support for sports, arts, culture and creative industries, as well as technology-enabled work opportunities.

Ukuanovwe said: “The future of Delta cannot be discussed without putting the youths at the centre of the development agenda.

“Our youths need skills, opportunities, access to capital and an enabling environment to build sustainable livelihoods. A government must create the conditions for young people to become producers, innovators and employers of labour.”

He also noted that the manifesto proposes at least 35 per cent representation for women in government appointments, boards and commissions, alongside measures to improve women’s access to finance, leadership, healthcare and employment.

ELECTRICITY AS ‘ECONOMIC EMERGENCY’

On electricity, Ukuanovwe described the manifesto’s position as significant, noting that it expressly treats electricity as an “economic emergency.”

The proposals include reliable electricity for homes, businesses and public institutions, development of Delta’s own electricity distribution network, public-private partnerships for power generation and the use of the state’s oil, gas and energy resources to support industrial growth.

According to him, “You cannot seriously talk about industrialisation, job creation and economic expansion while businesses and households struggle with unreliable electricity.

“That is why the power component of this manifesto deserves serious public scrutiny and discussion.”

‘DELTA NEEDS A NEW DEVELOPMENT DIRECTION’

Ukuanovwe said the overall objective of the Regenerate, Rebuild a New Delta initiative, as contained in the manifesto, is to make Delta State more economically productive, socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable through stronger local governments, poverty reduction, job creation, improved infrastructure, expanded healthcare and education, youth and women empowerment, and improved electricity supply.

He urged Deltans, particularly young people, to obtain and study the manifesto rather than base their political decisions solely on campaign slogans.

“The real political conversation should be about what each political platform intends to do with power.

“Ogboru’s Regenerate, Rebuild a New Delta manifesto has placed its proposals before the people. The responsibility now is for Deltans to examine them, interrogate them and demand accountability for every promise made,” Ukuanovwe said.

He added that the ADC youth structure would continue to engage young people across the state on the party’s programmes and policy proposals ahead of the 2027 governorship election.