Aniocha North and South as well as Oshimili North and South Local government areas of Delta North on Monday recorded a massive show of support for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as the party’s key candidates and stakeholders continued their familiarisation and consultation tour across the senatorial district.
The engagement, which was initially scheduled as an indoor stakeholders’ consultation and familiarisation exercise, attracted a large gathering of party leaders, ward executives, youths, women, community stakeholders and supporters at Issele-Uku, the headquarters of Aniocha North Local Government Area.
The delegation was led by the NDC candidate for Delta North Senatorial District, Rt. Hon. Victor Onyekachi Ochei, and the party’s Delta State governorship candidate, Deacon Chris Iyovwaye, alongside other candidates and party leaders.
Addressing the gathering, the NDC candidates said the consultations were intended to strengthen grassroots engagement, listen to the concerns of the people and build a coordinated structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ochei, a former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and former representative of Aniocha North, used the occasion to introduce the NDC candidates for the Aniocha North State Constituencies. They are Dr. Uzoma Valentine Awunor for Aniocha North Constituency I and Dr. Vincent Nwachologu for Aniocha North Constituency II.
He described the candidates as products of the local political process, while urging party members and supporters to remain united and committed to the NDC’s campaign ahead of the elections.
For Ochei, the engagement in Issele-Uku carried particular significance, given his previous representation of Aniocha North in the State House of Assembly and his current bid for the Delta North senatorial seat highlighting his legislative experience during his tenure as Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly.
Speaking on the party’s agenda, Ochei said his proposed representation would focus on what he described as inclusive development, sustainable youth empowerment, people-centred representation and prosperity for the people of Delta North.
He said the senatorial district required representation that would translate into meaningful legislative interventions, stronger federal presence and opportunities for young people.
“Delta North deserves representation that will put the people first, create opportunities for our youths and ensure that our communities receive the attention they deserve,” Ochei said.
On his part, the NDC governorship candidate, Chris Iyovwaye, also stressed the importance of grassroots mobilisation, participation and accountable leadership. Iyovwaye has publicly described his campaign agenda as a programme centred on a new direction for Delta State and has continued to engage communities and stakeholders across the state.
Iyovwaye urged the people to see the consultations not merely as political gatherings but as opportunities to establish a direct connection between the candidates and the electorate.
“This is about listening to the people, understanding their challenges and building a government that will respond to those challenges,” Iyovwaye said.
The gathering also featured messages of support from party stakeholders and supporters, with speakers emphasising unity, grassroots mobilisation and the need for sustained engagement across the nine local government areas that make up Delta North.
The organisers described the turnout as an indication of growing enthusiasm around the NDC in the area, although the size of a political gathering by itself does not establish future electoral outcomes.
The Issele-Uku engagement comes amid heightened political activity in Delta North ahead of the 2027 elections. Ochei’s candidacy on the NDC platform has already attracted significant attention, with the party having granted him a waiver to contest the Delta North senatorial election.
The NDC’s message at the consultation centred on what its candidates described as a “Delta North Rescue Mission”, with emphasis on inclusive development, youth empowerment, effective representation and economic opportunities.
The party also used the occasion to call for support for its wider 2027 ticket, including its presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi; governorship candidate, Deacon Chris Iyovwaye; Delta North senatorial candidate, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei; House of Representatives candidate, Barr. Isioma Theodora Ndah; and Aniocha North State Constituency candidate, Hon. Ashinze Charles Obiodogwu, as listed by the organisers.
The campaign message was summed up in the call:
“For the future of your children and grandchildren, do not sell your today.”
The NDC stakeholders said the consultations would continue across Delta North as the party intensifies its grassroot.
