By Michael Ilaya
As political conversations gradually shift toward 2031 in Delta State, Comrade Prince Kpokpogri has cautioned stakeholders against what he describes as a potential “succession mistake” driven solely by zoning sentiments rather than competence and leadership capacity.
In a strongly worded position statement, Kpokpogri, Chairman of the Anti-Corruption and Integrity Forum and Publisher of Integrity Watchdog Magazine, urged political leaders and citizens to prioritize continuity, experience, and inclusiveness in determining the state’s next leadership trajectory.
At the center of his intervention is the ongoing administration of Sheriff Oborevwori, whose MORE Agenda blueprint, he noted, has laid a foundation for infrastructural expansion, economic inclusion, and social stability across the state, thereby suggesting a consolidation of the MORE Agenda beyond 2031.
According to Kpokpogri, as the governor’s tenure progresses, attention must gradually move from governance implementation to safeguarding continuity beyond 2031.
“The central concern should not merely be zoning,” he emphasized, “but competence, experience, inclusiveness, and proven leadership capacity.”
By the state’s prevailing political understanding, power is expected to rotate to Delta South in 2031. This places potential aspirants from the Isoko and Ijaw ethnic nationalities at the forefront of discussions. However, in as much as power must shift to Delta South in 2031, caution must be applied to get the right choice for the State.
However, Kpokpogri warned against reducing the succession debate to financial muscle, early political positioning, or media visibility.
He stressed that aspirants must demonstrate the ability to manage Delta’s ethnic diversity and secure broad-based acceptability across Delta Central, Delta North, and Delta South.
“The ultimate test must remain the capacity to unite the senatorial districts and govern in the collective interest of all Deltans,” he stated.
Beyond the governorship, Kpokpogri highlighted the importance of strong representation at the National Assembly in shaping Delta’s federal influence ahead of 2027 and 2031, noting that those who must represent the three senatorial zones must be seen as strategic choices in the political scheme of things.
In Delta Central, he referenced the national visibility and legislative assertiveness of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, noting that effective Senate representation could strengthen federal collaboration and political leverage for the state.
In Delta North, he acknowledged the continued political relevance of former governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, describing his experience and federal networks as assets capable of influencing Delta’s long-term political direction. He therefore canvassed the need to have Ifeanyi Okowa go to the National Assembly to represent Delta North in the Senate as a strategic national political game-changer.
Kpokpogri emphasized that his recognition of political actors across party lines was not rooted in personal alliances, but in what he described as objective evaluation of competence and performance.
For Delta South stakeholders, he urged careful assessment of legislative performance, visibility, and advocacy strength when determining future Senate representation, maintaining that anybody that must represent Delta South at the Senate in 2027 must have broad-based acceptability of the people.
Ultimately, he argued, the state’s leadership transition must focus on Industrialization and job creation, Fiscal discipline and institutional strengthening, Equitable distribution of projects, and Sustainable economic expansion.
He maintained that Delta State’s political class must avoid decisions rooted in narrow interests or emotional sentiment.
While expressing optimism about the state’s developmental direction under Governor Oborevwori, Kpokpogri warned that poor succession choices could disrupt current gains.
“Delta’s future must be built on stability, inclusion, and strategic governance,” he concluded, urging party leaders, political stakeholders, and citizens to approach 2031 with maturity and foresight.
As early permutations begin to surface ahead of 2027 and beyond, Kpokpogri’s intervention adds to what is expected to be an evolving debate over competence, zoning, and the future political architecture of Delta State.
