Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has extended an open invitation to a former governor of the state, Chief James Ibori to officially join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Oborevwori, who formally defected to the APC on Monday alongside his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, and the entire Delta State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, said the party would warmly welcome Ibori, who is widely regarded as the political leader of the state into its fold.
Speaking on Tuesday at the vigil Mass in honour of the late former Deputy Governor of Delta State, Prof. Amos Utuama, held at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, Otu-Jeremi, Ughelli South Local Government Area, Oborevwori emphasised the importance of unity among the Urhobo political class.
“We will welcome former Governor James Ibori to our party, the APC,” Oborevwori declared.
Ibori’s daughter, Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, the representative for Ethiope Federal Constituency in the National Assembly defected to the APC in December 2024.
In a glowing tribute to the late Utuama, the governor praised his selfless contributions to the state and his community.
“I am very happy to be here today, seeing this large gathering for one man. The preaching today is not about the dead, it is about the living,” Oborevwori said.
He expressed hope that Utuama’s passing would serve as a rallying point for peace and unity in Ughelli South and across the Urhobo nation.
“He lived well and died well,” the governor said, extolling the late professor’s virtues and purposeful life.
