Former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, OON, has called for unity among the people of the four Local Government Areas in the Federal constituency, declaring that peace, collective commitment and cooperation are essential to achieving sustainable development.
Elumelu made the call on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at a town hall meeting organised by Delta North Team Religious Movement, Sheriff Patriots, APC 5/5, for faith-based organisations and community-based religious group at the Collins Ogwugwua NULGE Event Centre, Aniocha North Local Government Council Secretariat, Issele-Uku.
The meeting brought together APC candidates, Christian leaders, religious organisations and political stakeholders to discuss governance, development and the role of faith communities in the forthcoming 2027 general elections.
Among those in attendance were APC candidates for the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu; Aniocha North State Constituency I, Engr. Fidel Onwodi; and Aniocha North State Constituency II, Dr. Alexander Awunor.
Also present were the Delta State Commissioner for Special Duties, Government House, Dr. Ifeanyi Michael Osuoze, the Delta State Coordinator for Religious Matters in the Office of the Governor, Rev. Cyril Okonye, and the Assistant Coordinator, Religious Matters, Venerable Justin Olomu.
The event was hosted by the Aniocha North chapter of the movement under the leadership of its Local Government Area Mobilisation Director, Apostle Dr. Akinbolade Yero.
Addressing the gathering, Elumelu expressed gratitude to God for the emergence of Onwodi and Awunor, describing them as humble individuals of strong character who were prepared to work with him to advance the interests of Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency.
He described the candidates as people well equipped to contribute to the development of the constituency and urged the electorate to rally behind them in the forthcoming elections.
“It is now incumbent on us, as people of Aniocha/Oshimili, to be united. There is no meaningful development that can come to a place where there is war; war of words, war of envy and jealousy, war of backbiting and war of pulling down. Progress can never come to that environment,” he said.
The renowned Federal Lawmaker maintained that the combination of committed and humble representatives would provide a strong foundation for accelerated development, urging constituents to put aside divisions and work collectively towards a common future.
He called on the electorate across Aniocha North, Aniocha South, Oshimili North and Oshimili South to support the APC candidates, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Delta State Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, himself and the party’s five candidates for the State House of Assembly in the federal constituency.
Elumelu also commended the Christian community for its prayers and support for the State Governor and the chairmen of the Local Government Areas, assuring religious leaders that he would work with other elected representatives to promote good governance and effective representation.
He appealed to Christian leaders to sustain their prayers and mobilise members of their communities to participate actively in the electoral process, stressing the importance of peaceful engagement and collective responsibility in achieving the party’s electoral objectives.
Highlighting his previous achievements in the House of Representatives, Elumelu pledged to do more for the constituency if elected in 2027, even as he assured the Christian community that it would receive considerable attention in empowerment programmes and other development initiatives undertaken by its representatives.
He also commended Governor Oborevwori for what he described as significant developmental strides across Delta State, noting that the governor’s commitment to infrastructure, investment and inclusive governance had contributed to development across the state’s three senatorial districts.
Elumelu particularly praised the governor for purchasing nomination forms for APC candidates contesting the 2027 general elections, describing the gesture as evidence of his belief in teamwork, unity of purpose and collective political advancement.
He said the governor’s approach reflected a leadership philosophy that prioritised cooperation and the collective success of the party over individual interests.
The APC candidate further highlighted the governor’s efforts to attract private investment to Delta State, citing a reported $100 million investment commitment and the anticipated benefits for Aniocha North through MOSTRA Energy Limited.
According to him, the company would soon commence the rehabilitation of roads damaged by its coal-mining activities in the area, while the Local Government Area was expected to begin enjoying further economic benefits from the company’s investment.
He expressed optimism that such investments, combined with effective representation at the Federal, State and Local Government levels, would create opportunities for development and improve the welfare of residents.
Elumelu also expressed support for President Tinubu’s administration, maintaining that the Government was addressing challenges inherited from previous administrations.
He urged Nigerians to remain supportive while expecting policies and programmes to translate into tangible improvements in their lives.
A major emotional moment at the gathering was the observance of a minute’s silence in honour of the late Bishop Marvelous Odum, who until his death served as Deputy Director of Religious Matters in Elumelu’s campaign council.
Paying tribute to the deceased, Elumelu described him as a committed Christian leader whose dedication and loyalty deserved recognition.
He announced that his campaign council would take responsibility for the expenses associated with the late cleric’s funeral and pledged to establish the Bishop Marvelous Odum Foundation to support empowerment programmes in Aniocha North.
He also appealed to the Executive Chairman of Aniocha North Local Government to allocate land within the council secretariat for the construction of a hall to be known as the Marvelous Odum Foundation Hall.
Beyond honouring the late cleric’s contributions, Elumelu assured his family that they would not be abandoned following his demise.
He explained that the gesture was intended to recognise the late bishop’s commitment to the Christian community and reward the loyalty and service he demonstrated during his lifetime.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Special Duties, Government House, Dr. Ifeanyi Michael Osuoze, commended Rev. Cyril Okonye and other religious leaders for their interest in political affairs and their commitment to good governance.
Osuoze maintained that meaningful progress in society required the participation of responsible citizens, including members of the church, in the political process.
He encouraged the religious leaders to sustain their engagement and work towards peaceful participation and the emergence of credible leadership, while urging them to support the APC in the forthcoming elections.
Earlier, Rev. Okonye called for informed political participation and stronger collaboration between the church and government, urging Christians to combine prayers with responsible civic engagement and a commitment to accountability.
He said political decisions and affiliations should be guided by understanding and conviction rather than blind loyalty, noting that the political realignments witnessed in 2023 had influenced many people, including members of the Christian community, to identify with the APC.
Commending what he described as growing development at the grassroots, Okonye cited infrastructure projects, including libraries and Local Government Secretariats, as evidence of improved service delivery.
He attributed the developments partly to increased funding available to local governments, which he said had strengthened the capacity of council chairmen to execute projects.
The religious affairs coordinator reaffirmed his support for the APC and its Renewed Hope agenda, expressing confidence in the party’s leadership and candidates in Aniocha/Oshimili.
He also challenged Christian leaders to move beyond passive observation of political affairs and contribute actively to the promotion of accountable leadership, peace and social development.
In his welcome address, Apostle Dr. Akinbolade Yero, the Aniocha North Local Government Area Mobilisation Director of Delta North Team Religious Movement, Sheriff Patriots, APC 5/5, described the gathering as an opportunity for Christians to unite in prayer for Nigeria and engage constructively with political leadership.
Yero said praying for those in authority was a Christian responsibility, but stressed that support for government should also involve encouraging policies that improve people’s lives and demanding practical solutions to persistent challenges.
He called for prayers for President Tinubu, Governor Oborevwori, legislators and local government leaders, particularly for wisdom, justice, peace, economic recovery and the protection of lives and property.
He further urged Christians to participate responsibly in politics, reject violence and misinformation, and assess political representatives by their integrity, records and commitment to public service.
The two APC candidates for the Delta State House of Assembly, Engr. Fidel Onwodi and Dr. Alexander Awunor, also pledged to work with President Tinubu, Governor Oborevwori, Senator Okowa and Elumelu to deliver people-oriented representation and improve the welfare of constituents.
They appealed to the religious movement and the wider Christian community to mobilise support for all APC candidates in the 2027 general elections.
The town hall meeting ended with renewed appeals for unity, sustained prayers, peaceful political participation and collaboration between religious leaders and elected representatives in pursuit of development across Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency.
