Notable APC members including Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Olorogun Festus Keyamo, SAN, Elder Omeni Sobotie, Delta State APC Chairman, Senator Ede Dafinone, Rt. Hon. Francis Waive and other critical stakeholders of the party has described the return of Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru to the All Progressives Congress APC as very significant in strengthening the party in Delta state. The APC chieftains gave the remarks during the ground reception ceremony of Chief Great Ogboru back to the party.
Speaking at the ceremony that held at the Ughelli Kingdom Hall on Sunday, March 9, 2025, Olorogun Keyamo described Chief Great Ogboru as a real grassroot mobilizer with huge followers, noting that his return to the party is a significant step towards strengthening the party in the state.
“Chief Great Ogboru is a mobilizer and the peoples general. When the peoples Democratic Party PDP was very strong in Delta State, Chief Great Ogboru was able to win Twelve Local Government Areas and Nine House of Assemblies seats. That tells you who he is and the experience he has in politics.”
Olorogun Keyamo who was so excited, noted that the College of leaders of the party in the state are working seriously to reconcile all members, adding that no one person is a leader, but all of them are leaders at various capacities and areas.
“If you say college of leaders is unconstitutional, or not in the party constitution, then where is it written that there should be a sole leader in the party.
Continuing, Olorogun Keyamo reassured party faithful of the preparedness of President Tinubu to stand by the party in the state and to support the party.
“Two weeks ago, members of the College of leaders of the party met with the President at the Villa in Abuja and he expressed his overwhelming support especially on the reconciliation move been done by us, and he assured us of his support to the state APC.”
He called on party faithful to go out and sensitise those who are yet to understand that only one man cannot be sole leader of a party in the state so that they could come out of their slavery.
“We will not succumb to the tricks of a betrayal again and with the return of Chief Great Ogboru, the ranks of the opposition in the state is swelling.”
The event which attracted thousands of APC faithful and lover of Chief Great Ogboru also featured different goodwill messages from top APC members in the state.
In his goodwill message, Sen. Ede Dafinone representing Delta Central Senatorial District and represented by Chief Abel Idigu said, ” I am delighted to welcome Chief Great Ogboru and his teeming supporters back to the APC as he has long been a voice of the opposition in the state, and called on party faithful to accord him all his respects and entitlements.
On her part, Executive Director of Nexim Bank and former National Women Leader of the APC, Hon. Stella Okotete, expressed her joy and happiness in welcoming back a man he described as a trail blazer.
“Our father and brother did not leave the party but only walk out of it as a result of the betrayal by one man who worked against the party in 2019. We are happy that he is back and this has made the APC more stronger in the state.”
Earlier in his welcome address, Delta Central APC Chairman, Chief Paulinus Akpeki expressed gratitude in receiving Chief Great Ogboru back into the party. “I am so excited because his return to APC is very significant and I call on all to put behind all differences and grievances for a better welfare of our people and urged all to stand firm behind Chief Great Ogboru.
While thanking all party faithful, Chief Great Ogboru who was accompanied by his wife and other supporters, appreciated the leadership prowess of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Olorogun Festus Keyamo and Hon. Stella Okotete for ensuring that all aggrieved members of the party are reconciled. He thanked the state party chairman, Chief Omeni Sobotie for his dogged efforts in ensuring that the APC in Delta State is stronger.
Chief Ogboru, who was excited, assured party faithful of the preparedness of the party to take over the state from the grip of the PDP.
Also in attendance were Prince Frank Uge, Chief James Agboranyen, Sir Richard Odibo, Alex Ideh, Prince Charles Abutu who represented former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe, Chief Paulinus Akpeki, Delta Central Chairman of the APC. Others include, Rt. Hon. Halims Agoda, Ossai Abe Ossai, Hon. Dr. Chris Oghenechovwen and other party leaders.
Highpoint of the ceremony was the official reception of Chief Great Ogboru by Olorogun Festus Keyamo and other party members