The Senator representing Delta South Senatorial District, Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, has commended Delta State Governor and leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for his efforts to promote unity, reconciliation and cohesion within the party.
Joel-Onowakpo spoke against the backdrop of a reconciliation meeting with Hon. Prince Michael Diden, popularly known as Ejele, at Diden’s residence in Sapele, Delta State.
The meeting, which brought together senior APC leaders, government officials and stakeholders from across Delta South, culminated in Diden’s decision to withdraw the court case he instituted against Senator Joel-Onowakpo and pledge his support for the senator and the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The development is being viewed by party stakeholders as a significant breakthrough in efforts to strengthen unity, consolidate the party’s structures and present a united front in Delta South.
Those who participated in the reconciliation meeting included Senator Joel-Onowakpo; Delta South APC Chairman, Prince Emmam Amgbaduba; Chief of Staff to the Delta State Government, Hon. Prince Johnson Erijo; Chairman of Isoko South Local Government Council, Hon. Warri Ovoke Friday; chairmen of the eight local government areas in the senatorial district; and other party leaders and stakeholders.
The meeting was convened to resolve outstanding differences, rebuild trust and foster greater cooperation among party members in pursuit of a common political objective.
At the end of the meeting, Diden announced his decision to withdraw the suit against Senator Joel-Onowakpo and pledged his support, alongside his political associates and supporters, for the senator and the APC.
He further committed to working with other party stakeholders to strengthen the APC’s structures and mobilise support for the party’s candidates in Delta South and across the state ahead of the 2027 elections.
Reacting to the development, Senator Joel-Onowakpo expressed appreciation to the party leaders and stakeholders who facilitated the reconciliation, describing the outcome as a major step towards building a stronger and more united APC.
The senator particularly commended Governor Oborevwori for what he described as his demonstrated leadership, wisdom and commitment to uniting the APC family in Delta State.
According to Joel-Onowakpo, the governor’s approach to party leadership has contributed to the restoration of peace among members and strengthened the party’s prospects ahead of the 2027 elections.
Joel-Onowakpo said:
“I want to give special and heartfelt appreciation to our leader in Delta State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, the Executive Governor of Delta State.
“His Excellency has demonstrated uncommon leadership, wisdom and large-heartedness in uniting the APC family in Delta State.
“This peace we have achieved today is a reflection of his fatherly role and his genuine desire to build one strong, united APC that will deliver for all our candidates.”
The senator also commended Diden for what he described as his maturity and sportsmanship in choosing reconciliation and the collective interest of the party over personal differences.
He said Diden’s decision to withdraw the suit and support the collective interest of the APC demonstrated his commitment to the progress, unity and success of the party.
Joel-Onowakpo assured Diden and his supporters of their full integration into the party, stressing that their participation would be crucial to strengthening the APC’s mobilisation and electoral machinery in Delta South.
“I assure him that he and his supporters will be fully integrated and respected. Together as one formidable family, we will work to deliver all our candidates in the forthcoming elections,” he said.
The reconciliation has been welcomed by APC stakeholders across Delta South, who described it as a significant development in the party’s efforts to consolidate its structures and strengthen internal cohesion ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The stakeholders expressed optimism that the renewed cooperation among party leaders and members would enhance mobilisation across the senatorial district and boost the prospects of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other APC candidates in the forthcoming elections.
