The Chief Adviser to the Delta State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori; and former representative of the Delta Central senatorial district in the National Assembly, Chief Ighoyota Amori, have described his office as a critical link between the government and the people, explaining that one of his major responsibilities is to guide the Governor while also ensuring that citizens’ concerns reach the government.
Speaking during an interview with newsmen in Asaba, Amori said his role as Chief Adviser to the Governor was beyond offering personal opinions, as it involved gathering perspectives from various stakeholders and presenting balanced advice that would serve the interests of the state.
According to him, governance required continuous consultation and input from different stakeholders, including political appointees, community leaders, professionals, and ordinary citizens.
“The Governor receives advice from many people, both within and outside government. My responsibility is to analyse issues critically and provide advice based on what is best for Delta State and its people, not on personal interests”, he said.
Amori, a former Political Adviser, and later Senior Political Adviser to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, noted that his decades of experience in politics and public service had equipped him with the knowledge needed to effectively support the present administration.
He recalled that he had served in different capacities since 1999, both at the state and national levels, giving him a broad understanding of governance and public administration.
The Chief Adviser explained that his current position differed from his previous political roles, where he was more vocal in the media and public space.
“There is time for everything. In my former positions, I spoke more publicly because that was part of my responsibility. Today, I occupy a different office, and I must be more careful and measured in my comments because whatever I say can affect the image of the Governor and the government”, he stated.
Amori said many people who could not have access to the Governor often visited his office to express their concerns, seek assistance, or make requests, further
describing his office as an accessible platform where people could freely present their grievances and suggestions without the formal protocols associated with Government House.
“People come here every day with different concerns. Some are frustrated, some are angry, and some simply want to be heard. It is my duty to listen to them and ensure that their concerns are communicated to the Governor”, he said.
According to him, many citizens leave satisfied once they are allowed to explain their issues and receive feedback, even when their requests cannot be immediately granted.
He stressed that effective governance required constant engagement with the people and maintaining open channels of communication between government and citizens.
On national issues, Amori acknowledged the economic challenges facing Nigerians but maintained that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reforms were necessary to address long-standing structural problems in the economy.
He said policies such as fuel subsidy removal and other economic reforms might be difficult in the short term but were aimed at producing long-term benefits for the country.
Amori argued that previous administrations had also recognised the need to remove fuel subsidies but lacked the political will to implement the decision, noting that while many Nigerians were experiencing hardship, there had been improvements in areas such as fuel availability and harmonisation of exchange rates, amongst others, compared to previous years.
“When assessing any government, you must compare where the country was before and where it is now. Reforms are never easy, but they are often necessary for long-term growth and stability”, he said.
On concerns about insecurity, he admitted that the issue had remained a major challenge but argued that efforts were being made to address it across the country.
On politics, Amori allayed fears that
disagreements arising from recent primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State
would affect the party’s chances in the 2027 elections, acknowledging the right of aspirants who could not secure the party’s tickets to be aggrieved and disappointed, which he said was normal in a democratic process.
According to him, the APC’s primary elections in Delta State were largely successful, noting that unlike previous experiences in other parties, there had been minimal litigation arising from the exercise.
“It is normal for people to be unhappy when they do not achieve their political ambitions, but what is important is that the process was largely accepted. We have not seen the level of legal disputes that often follow party primaries”, he said.
Amori expressed confidence that internal grievances within the party would be resolved through dialogue and reconciliation before the next election cycle, adding that the APC was focused on strengthening its structures and delivering good governance to the people of Delta State and Nigeria.
