By Our Correspondent
ASABA – Fresh political arguments have emerged within the Nigeria Democratic Congress NDC ahead of the 2027 Delta State governorship election as a group of stakeholders in the Obidient Movement and progressive bloc of the party declared that businessman and technocrat, Ken Pela, remains the most credible and marketable option for the governorship ticket.
The group also raised questions over the sudden rise in political and financial influence of Deacon Chris Iyovwaye, insisting that leadership of an economically strategic state like Delta should be based on competence, transparency, experience, and credibility rather than “unexplained wealth and political sentiments.”
The stakeholders, who spoke in Asaba on Friday, said while loyalty to political movements was important, it should not override issues of administrative competence, public trust, and leadership capacity.
According to them, Delta State requires a governor with deep economic understanding, institutional reform agenda, and broad acceptability across ethnic and political divides.
The group stated, “Ken Pela has consistently distinguished himself as a visionary entrepreneur, reform minded politician, and intellectual voice with practical ideas on economic diversification, youth empowerment, infrastructure, and transparent governance.
“Unlike others whose sudden financial influence continues to generate public concerns, Ken Pela’s professional background, business exposure, and public engagements are known and verifiable.”
The stakeholders questioned what they described as the “mysterious financial rise” of Iyovwaye, arguing that many Deltans were still seeking explanations regarding the source of his enormous wealth.
“One critical question many people are asking is how an ordinary auxiliary nurse suddenly became a billionaire overnight. Leadership should not be reduced to money politics. Delta people deserve accountability and transparency,” the group added.
The stakeholders warned the NDC against imposing any aspirant through what they described as elite arrangements disguised as consensus, stressing that any consensus arrangement must reflect the genuine will of party members and grassroots supporters.
They further argued that another governorship candidate from Okpe Local Government Area immediately after the tenure of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori could trigger concerns over political imbalance in the state.
“Delta politics has always survived on fairness, inclusion, and rotational understanding.
Concentrating political power within one local government axis may create avoidable tensions across the state,” the statement noted. The group maintained that the Obidient Movement in Delta State was built collectively by thousands of supporters, youths, professionals, and grassroots mobilizers, insisting that no single individual should attempt to appropriate the movement for personal political ambition.
According to them, Ken Pela possesses wider acceptability among youths, professionals, civil society groups, and undecided voters seeking a departure from traditional politics.
They added, “The future of Delta State cannot be built on propaganda or financial intimidation. The state needs competence over controversy, vision over political noise, and transparency over unexplained wealth.
“For us, Ken Pela remains the stronger, safer, and more credible governorship option for the Nigeria Democratic Congress NDC in Delta State.”
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