Tinubu, Oborevwori Get Major Boost As Delta Transport Operators Pledge Support For 2027

The Commercial Motorcycle and Tricycle Operators Association (COMTOA) in Delta State has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and other All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates for the 2027 general elections, pledging to mobilise its members in support of the party.

The association announced its decision during a solidarity visit to the Delta State Government House in Asaba on Friday. The endorsement followed a motion moved by COMTOA’s State Treasurer, Comrade Prince Miller, and seconded by the State Secretary, Comrade Emmanuel Afatakpa.

According to Bush Radio Academy, COMTOA, which has an estimated membership of more than 25,000 commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators across the state, said the endorsement was motivated by what its leaders described as the government’s support for members’ welfare and interests.

Leading the delegation, Chief Godday Obi Nzete said the association appreciated the Oborevwori administration for giving transport operators greater recognition and consideration.

Nzete described the visit as an opportunity to reciprocate the support the association said it had received from the state government. He added that some members had experienced improvements in their livelihoods under the current administration.

He said that although only a fraction of the association’s estimated 25,000 members attended the visit, COMTOA planned to organise a statewide mobilisation exercise to demonstrate its support for Oborevwori and other APC candidates.

“We are ready to set aside a day to mobilise our members across the entire state in support of Sheriff and all APC candidates, from the presidency down,” Nzete said.

Speaking during the visit, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, urged the operators to intensify grassroots mobilisation for Tinubu, Oborevwori and other APC candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.

Emu encouraged members to leverage their extensive presence across communities and their daily interactions with passengers to communicate the party’s message and rally support for its candidates.

“The job has just started. Go back to your units and continue preaching the good news,” he said.

The SSG also disclosed that the state government had recruited and equipped 1,000 forest guards to tackle criminal activities and remove criminal elements from forests across Delta State.

According to Emu, the initiative was designed to improve security, create a safer environment for residents and allow farmers to return to their farms without fear of attacks.

The Commissioner for Transport, Mr Onoriode Agofure, also commended COMTOA for endorsing the administration, noting that the state government had subsidised daily tickets for commercial riders, making them among the cheapest in the country.

Similarly, the State Director of Protocol, Chief Sunday Onoriode, described the solidarity visit as a demonstration of support for the Oborevwori administration and an indication of the APC’s grassroots presence in the state.

He praised the governor’s contributions to Delta State’s development, stressing that peace and security were essential to commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators whose livelihoods depend on daily movement across communities.

Onoriode also highlighted the administration’s attention to road infrastructure and the welfare of transport operators, describing the relative stability within the association as encouraging.

The APC State Organising Secretary, Hon. Egbabor, urged the operators to support the party, arguing that its policies and the increased resources available to governments would strengthen their ability to address the needs of residents.

Those present at the visit included the Chief of Staff at Government House, Prince Johnson Erijo; Commissioner for Transport, Onoriode Agofure; Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu; Special Adviser on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution, Chief Edwin Uzor; Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Festus Ahon; and Director-General of the State Orientation Bureau, Fred Latimore, alongside other government officials and APC stakeholders.