AS Governor Sheriff Oborevwori marks his second anniversary in office today, The Pointer engaged his Chief Adviser, Sen Ighoyota Amori, for an in-depth assessment of the administration’s performance since May 29, 2023. In this exclusive interview with Patrick Mgbodo, Jumai Nwachukwu, Ifeanyi Uwagwu, Ebipade Niketen and Kase Greatness, Amori reflects on the political journey from 1999 to the present, highlighting the importance of continuity in governance and positioning the Oborevwori administration as a vital chapter in the ongoing Delta State development project. Going forward, he drums support for the Oborevwori administration for more development. Excerpts:
Let us meet you…
I am the Chief Adviser to the Governor of Delta State. I am SenIghoyota Amori. I have been around for a very long time. I have been in government since 1999. I was once the Commissioner for Education. I also became the first Political Adviser to the then-governor, Chief James Ibori in 2004. In 2006, I was again appointed as the Commissioner for Water Resources Development until 2007. I have also held several positions in government, both at the state and at the national level.
I have also held several offices at the party level. I was the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Federal Polytechnic Ilaro in Ogun State. I was the pioneer Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). I was also the Deputy State Chairman of the PDP. Recently, I was the Deputy National Organizing Secretary of the PDP and I have been a political adviser to three national chairmen of the party. Today, I am the Chief Adviser to the Governor.
Your profile is very impressive. This must have accounted for the confidence the Governor had to appoint you as his chief adviser. But what exactly is your job description?
First, the office is a new creation. I have always held a new office. Chief Ibori appointed me as his political adviser, which was a new creation and I held sway very well. Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan upgraded me to become the Senior Political Adviser and it was also new at the time. During the time of Governor Oborevwori, created this office newly to address many issues.
Now, there are many advisers in government; economic, social, political, cultural, domestic, security and many others. And then, there is a Chief Adviser who is the adviser of advisers. The Governor wanted me to coordinate all the advice that he would be receiving from the different aspects of governance. So, I am their chief.
How would you evaluate Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s performance in the last two years?
Experience matters a lot. As I told you, I have been around since 1999 and I am also a major stakeholder in the politics of the state. I have worked with four governors. I was in Ibori’s government, I was in Uduaghan’s government, I was in Okowa’s government, I also served as a senator and now I am in Oborevwori’s government. Each governor has his style and credit must be given to all the past governors of the state.
James Ibori came and laid the foundation for all those who came after him to build on. I have been witness to developments in the state. So, I have seen more than enough. I also clearly understand the style of each governor and I doff my hat for all of them for a job well done.
When we came in 1999, there were only three generational banks in the state. Asaba, as a capital, was more of a liner settlement. The only popular road at the time was the Nnebisi Road. There was a clear demarcation between Asaba, Okpanam and adjourning cities; Ibusa, Issele-Azagba and Ugbolu. But today, Asaba is a different city. All the cities have been joined together through the developments that were brought by the previous and current governments. There was no airport.
Things have changed as a result of the administration of James Ibori, Emmanuel Uduaghan, Ifeanyi Okowa and Sheriff Oborevwori. They have all done very well and I have been part of the success story. I am very proud to be part of it and I believe that what Oborevwori is doing today is building on a very solid foundation that was laid by previous administrations starting with James Ibori.
Oborevwori has done very well and if I want to name all that he has done in the last two years, we may not leave here today. Start from anywhere; any ministry, department or sector you can think of. In sports, Delta State is number one, health we are number one. In terms of road, as I earlier said, the Nnebisi Road was just a single lane but today it has been dualised up to the expressway by James Ibori who also built all the bridges you can think of at the time; the Aboh Bridge, the Olumu Bridge, the Omadino Bridge and the Bomadi Bridge.
Of course, as commissioner for education, we established four tertiary institutions at the same time; the present Southern Delta University which was previously the Ozoro Polytechnic, the Delta State Polytechnic in Ogwashi-Uku and the College of Education in Mosogar. Even the Federal Government could not achieve this feat at that time. We also upgraded all the primary and secondary schools, employed teachers, promoted teachers, and built the Asaba City Stadium, the Warri Stadium, and the Sapele Stadium.
The government also established the media houses; DBS, The Pointer and NTA. We also built several hospitals. These facilities were not in Delta before but were all done by the governments of Ibori, Uduaghan, Okowa and Oborevwori. Today, the connection between Asaba to Ughelli is in the best shape. That road was started by Uduaghan, through Okowa and today Oborevwori is completing the road. I am sure that road will be commissioned soon. You can also see the Ogwashi- Uku Bridge. When I was younger, we used to fetch water there.
So, Delta has come a long way. In my presence, Delta State has been completely transformed. At the time, all of this GRA Area in Asaba was a complete forest but today, everything has changed. The town is expanding towards Agbor. Okpanam which was a no-go area has now joined with Asaba. Ugbolu and Ibusa are all built up.
I can say that the previous governors have performed very well but Governor Oborevwori is doing wonders. I mentioned several bridges here and there, not only in Asaba but in every part of the state. Of course, Julius Berger was not here before and you know what they are doing now. The CCECC, Levante and co are all here doing wonderful jobs. If you go to Sapele today, you will find areas that were hitherto small before now being expanded.
In 1999, Ughelli was also a liner settlement but today, it is dualised with streetlights everywhere. These are things that the previous and current governments have brought to Delta State.
Never in the history of Delta State has there been one vehicle seen in Ijaw Land, apart from Patani or Bomadi. In those days, when we go to Bomadi, we stop at the waterside. When James Manager became the Commissioner for Works during Ibori’s time, the Bomadi Bridge was built. Now, from Bomadi, you can go anywhere. People in Bayelsa now come to thank us for building roads everywhere. You can now go to Burutu and other parts of Ijaw land.
Unless you were in this State at the time, you may not be able to appreciate and that is why I keep talking of 1999.
What should Deltans expect going forward?
We thank Deltans for the support they have given to Governor Oborevwori. The peace we are enjoying in the State today is responsible for the development you see. It is because of the support that they have given to the Governor. Do not be tired of that support.
The Governor has an agenda called ‘MORE’. So you should be expecting more. Each time you drive through the Asaba/Ughelli road, you see that it is very good and you appreciate the fact that you voted for the right person. The road was started by Uduaghan and was continued by Okowa. Oborevwori came and completed it and he may commission it today because the road is finally completed.
Look at the numerous roads that are being constructed today. We are very proud. There is no dull moment in this administration. I am not praising the Governor for praising sake. The Governor has not borrowed a dime to do all these and this is very good. He is paying off the debts genuinely incurred by previous governments. We are very happy with the government and we ask that the government continues in this trajectory.
