By Oghenefejiro Emado
19, September 2026
A community leader in Umeh, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, Chief Duncan Afahokor, has said the community will base its voting decision in the 2027 general elections on the development projects attracted to the area by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration.
Afahokor, who is a lawyer and Founder of the Pan-Isoko Advocacy Group and the Umeh Need Road Forum, said Umeh has recorded visible development since Governor Oborevwori assumed office, particularly in roads, water supply, healthcare, education and street lighting.
Speaking on the political direction of the community, Afahokor said politics is driven by interest, noting that Umeh people have concrete reasons to support the All Progressives Congress, APC, in 2027.
“Politics is a game of interest — whether personal or collective. For us in Umeh, conscience demands that we stand with APC, and the reasons are clear, backed by evidence,” he stated.
He recounted how Umeh was once threatened by severe flooding that destroyed the community’s bridge and almost cut the town off from other parts of the state. According to him, the late President-General of Umeh, Pastor Simeon Emamowho, had mobilised residents to battle the flood before the state government intervened.
Afahokor said Governor Oborevwori, with the support of Hon. Ferguson Onwo and the intervention of the then Commissioner for Works, Comrade Reuben Izeze, ensured the damaged Umeh bridge was rehabilitated and the road reconstructed. He disclosed that about 600 metres of the road was resurfaced by construction giant, Setraco, which spent seven months on site to complete the project.
“That is no small feat,” he said.
The community leader also spoke on the long-standing water crisis that had plagued Umeh, leading to deadly outbreaks of water-borne diseases. He recalled that 30 children died from cholera in the community in 2009, while four other persons lost their lives in 2018 due to unsafe drinking water.
He said the narrative has changed under the Oborevwori administration with the delivery of a water project that now gives residents access to potable water within a short distance to their homes, describing it as a “life-saving intervention.”
On health, Afahokor disclosed that the community’s health centre, which was earlier destroyed by flood, is currently undergoing total reconstruction.
He said the facility was among four health centres in the state selected for UNICEF intervention and will, on completion, have a labour ward, male and female wards, offices, stores and 24-hour solar power supply.
He commended the Isoko South Local Government Council, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, and Chief Emamusi Obiodeh for their roles in ensuring sustainable healthcare delivery in Umeh.
Afahokor further mentioned the installation of streetlights in the community through the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, facilitated by Hon. Ferguson Onwo and Hon. Jonathan Ukodhiko.
He said the streetlights have transformed nightlife, security and commercial activities in Umeh.
“Where once the community slept by 8pm, commerce and security now thrive till midnight,” he noted.
He added that Umeh Primary School is also being renovated under the state government’s education intervention programme, stressing that all the projects are verifiable and not mere promises.
“These are not promises, they are projects delivered,” he emphasized.
While noting that the community still needs more support in areas of human capital development, empowerment and economic opportunities, Afahokor urged residents not to ignore what has already been done, saying gratitude must count in assessing government performance.
“Our votes must reflect appreciation for Governor Sheriff and his party. In Umeh, our votes are driven by projects, and we will vote accordingly,” he said.
