Edith CHUKU
As a way to express their disagreement with his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, to the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, two appointees of the Delta State governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, have resigned their positions.
They are, the Senior Special Assistant on Civil Society and Youths Mobilization, Mr. Harrison Gwamnishu and Senior Special Assistant on Civil Societies and NGOs, Mr Victor Ojei, who is also a lead activist, Young Nigerian Rights Organization.
The two SSAs announced their resignation on Friday, in a letter to the governor, where they also expressed their disappointment following Oborevwori’s inability to tackle the security challenges in the state.
Ojei, who is popularly known as “Wong Box,” expressed deep disappointment over what he described as the government’s failure to deliver on promises of development, security, and economic empowerment for the people of Delta State.
He cited frustrations with the lack of political will to drive meaningful change in the state, even as he declared no intention of dumping the PDP for APC.
The SSA revealed that he joined politics to fight for the ordinary Deltans through activism, advocacy and developmental partnerships.
Also, that the reason he accepted the appointment was to uplift the land from the scars of neglects and political promised into genuine prosperity.
Ojie noted that, “when I accepted the appointment, it was with burning hope — a hope to bridge the gap between government and the grassroots, to be a voice for the voiceless, to inspire change not just from the corridors of power but from the trenches where our people cry daily for justice, development, and a better life.
“I did not join politics to wine and dine. I joined PDP and accepted this role with only one ambition: to fight for the ordinary Deltan through Activism, Advocacy, and Developmental partnerships that would uplift our land from the scars of neglect and political promises into genuine prosperity. But I was limited by the very system I sought to strengthen.”
He lamented that all efforts he made to attract international developmental partners, NGOs, and innovation was stalled and dumped into KIV (Keep In View), what he said should have been a movement for progress became a standstill.
According to him, “Projects that could have sparked industrial revolutions, brought jobs to the unemployed, and put food in the mouths of widows and orphans were met with silence.
“Where are the economic projects that bring money into the hands of ordinary people? Where is the non-kinetic security architecture we so passionately advocated for — the use of AI-driven CCTV in ungoverned spaces of our state to protect lives and property?”
Ojei regretted that “from 1999 to date, not one tangible thing comes into the pocket of the average Deltan monthly. Not one policy guarantees their safety. Not one hope touches their roof. This cannot continue — and I refuse to be part of a system that watches our people drown and claps instead of rescuing them.
“To your credit, Your Excellency, I thank you for the opportunity to serve. I did not take it lightly. I tried with every drop of energy I had — we established the Save Delta State Security WhatsApp Platform with key stakeholders: police, DSS, hunters, youth leaders, PGs of communities, and more. We gave our best, and we are still giving our best — but a tree cannot make a forest when starved of rain.
“What we need is political will. If the state must take loans, let it be to protect lives. Let it be to bring technology to our streets, especially those forgotten in the rural ends of our beloved Delta.
“I want to state clearly: I will not cross carpet from PDP to APC. I am not a politician; I am a socio-political activist. I stand with truth and with the people, not with the highest bidder.
“Yes, I admired President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his bold reforms as Governor of Lagos State. But this new path — this aggressive political conversion of PDP states into APC strongholds — is dangerous. It is pushing Nigeria toward a one-party system, which PDP never did during their time from 1999 to 2015.
“The birth of APC itself was possible because the PDP government then allowed political plurality. That era was the best of Nigeria’s democracy. Democracy is not democracy when power is gained by manipulation. That is not democracy; that is voodoo governance.
“I will never toy with the destiny of the people of Delta State. My loyalty lies with them, not with any party or position. I will continue to speak, to act, and to defend the people whether in office or outside it.
“I may have resigned the position, but I have not resigned my passion. I have not resigned from Delta State. I have not resigned from the hearts of the people. And I know that the people who know the truth will one day rise to give me a chance to truly serve them without chains.
“Let it be known that Comrade Victor Ojei (Wong Box) stood when others bowed. That I chose the people, even when the palace doors were open. May God bless Delta State.
May He bless the dreams of every suffering Deltan. And may He give us the courage to fight for a better tomorrow.”
On his part, Gwamnishu explained that the decision to resign his position which he said takes effect from April 25, 2025, came “after a considerable reflection and a deep sense of disappointment regarding the ongoing issues of insecurity in our communities, which I have continuously brought to your attention.
“Despite numerous messages, calls , blueprint documents aimed at addressing these pressing concerns, have all been thrown out, I have come to the unfortunate realization that meaningful solutions are not being accepted by your administration.”
He noted that “as a civil rights leader, I accepted this appointment as a commitment to serve and protect our community. However, the continuous escalation of insecurity and the persistent lack of action to provide effective resolutions have rendered me unable to fulfil my duties with the integrity and effectiveness that I believe are essential.
“My commitment to the safety and well-being of our communities remains unwavering, but my agitations is that these crucial issues on insecurity ought to be prioritized. It is my hope that my resignation will drive the urgent need for action and inspire a renewed focus on the safety of our citizens.
“I am grateful for the opportunities I was bestowed during my time and for the relationship I have built with my colleagues and community members and the state at large.
“I genuinely hope for a future where we can work together to create a safer and more secure Delta state for all. Thank you for your understanding. I wish the government all the best in its future endeavours and will continue to serve my community in my private capacity.”
