The Integrity Group of Nigeria, Delta State Chapter, has intensified its grassroots political engagement ahead of the 2027 general elections with a strategic visit to the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Isoko South Local Government Area, Sir Victor Ekelega.
The delegation, led by the Delta State Chairman of the group, Comrade Martin Nwachukwu Bolum, visited the APC chairman on Monday as part of efforts to strengthen relationships with political stakeholders and deepen grassroots mobilisation across Delta State.
The visit also provided an opportunity for the group to discuss political development, good governance, grassroots participation and the need for greater cooperation among stakeholders ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking during the engagement, Comrade Bolum said the Integrity Group was committed to taking its mobilisation efforts to communities and political leaders across the state, stressing that meaningful political engagement must begin at the grassroots.
He said the group would continue to engage party leaders, community leaders and other stakeholders in a spirit of partnership, with the objective of promoting good governance and supporting leaders whose policies and programmes positively affect the people.
“Our visit is part of our commitment to building bridges with political stakeholders at the grassroots. We believe that political mobilisation should not begin only when elections are around the corner. It must be built through continuous engagement, consultation and a genuine understanding of the people.”
Bolum said Isoko South remained an important political constituency and praised Sir Ekelega for his leadership within the APC structure in the local government. He added that the Integrity Group would continue to promote peaceful political participation and encourage stakeholders to place the interests of their communities above personal differences.
“We are here to strengthen relationships, listen and work together. We want a political environment where people can discuss development, governance and the future of their communities without unnecessary divisions.”
The Director-General and National Convener of the Integrity Group of Nigeria, Dr Oke Idawene, commended the Delta State chapter for the initiative and described the visit as an example of the kind of grassroots engagement the organisation wants to see replicated across the country.
Dr Idawene said the group's support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was based on what he described as the administration's efforts to reform the economy, strengthen infrastructure, promote investment and lay the foundation for sustainable national development. He also praised Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his leadership and development initiatives, urging voters to return him to office while supporting APC candidates across the various elective positions in 2027.
“We have seen enough to believe that President Tinubu deserves another mandate, just as Governor Sheriff Oborevwori deserves the continued support of the people of Delta State. Our message is simple: let us sustain the programmes and policies that are working, encourage continuity in governance and elect APC candidates all-the-way who are committed to development and the welfare of our people.”
Idawene said the Integrity Group was taking what he called the “good tidings” of the Tinubu administration to all four corners of Nigeria, explaining that the organisation would continue travelling across the country to engage communities, political stakeholders and opinion leaders ahead of the 2027 elections.
“We are taking the good tidings of President Tinubu to all four corners of Nigeria. We will continue to tell Nigerians about the programmes, reforms and achievements of this administration, while encouraging them to participate actively in the democratic process and support credible candidates who can deliver good governance.”
Dr Idawene urged other state chapters of the Integrity Group to commence similar consultations with political stakeholders, saying the national leadership would support such initiatives. He also promised to personally participate in future stakeholder visits organised by the various state chapters, stressing that the national leadership remained committed to strengthening the organisation's grassroots presence.
As part of the engagement, Sir Victor Ekelega was bestowed with the position of Ambassador and Leader of the Integrity Group of Nigeria in Isoko South, in recognition of his political standing and expected contribution to the group's grassroots engagement in the area.
Responding, Ekelega thanked the Integrity Group for the visit and the confidence reposed in him, describing the engagement as a demonstration of the importance of collaboration between political organisations and grassroots stakeholders.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for their leadership, expressing support for initiatives aimed at promoting development, stability and the welfare of the people.
Ekelega said political leaders had a responsibility to remain connected to the people and ensure that government policies and programmes translated into tangible benefits at the grassroots.
He welcomed the Integrity Group's decision to engage political stakeholders directly and pledged to support its activities in Isoko South. The meeting ended with both sides reaffirming the importance of grassroots engagement, political cooperation and sustained consultation ahead of the 2027 general elections.