By Onyekachukwu Utebor, Warri
The National Democratic Party (NDP) candidate for Warri Federal Constituency in the 2027 general elections, Chief (Comrade) Mulade B. Sheriff, PhD, has pledged to pursue greater unity among the four major ethnic groups and resident communities in Warri, stressing that Urhobo, Ijaw, Itsekiri and other Nigerians living in the area must have a sense of belonging.
Sheriff made the commitment on Monday while unveiling his seven-point development agenda at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, at the High Chief Dr. Government Oweizide Press Centre, 3 Eburu Street, Okumagba Layout, Warri, Delta State.
He said the diversity of Warri should be seen as a strength rather than a source of division, promising to promote a representative structure that would bring the various communities together and ensure that their concerns are reflected in development planning.
According to him, Warri Federal Constituency, comprising Warri South, Warri North and Warri South-West Local Government Areas, is home to the Urhobo, Ijaw and Itsekiri, alongside residents from different parts of Nigeria who live, work and contribute to the economic life of the area.
Sheriff said his proposed representation would therefore seek to build bridges across ethnic and community lines, stressing that no group should be excluded from opportunities or development because of its ethnic background.
“I want to unify all the people of Warri. We have the Urhobo, Ijaw, Itsekiri and other people living here, and we must recognise that diversity as a strength,” he said.
He added that his vision was to build a constituency where communities could work together peacefully, participate in development decisions and hold their elected representative accountable.
Unveiling his seven-point agenda, Sheriff listed purpose-driven representation, unity-driven representation, people-oriented representation, inclusive representation, economic empowerment, employment opportunities, and accessibility, reliability and dependability as the pillars of his proposed representation.
On unity-driven representation, the candidate said the interests of the various ethnic and resident communities would be considered in his approach to legislative representation.
He said, “Every group must have a sense of belonging. Whether you are Urhobo, Ijaw, Itsekiri or from another part of Nigeria and you live and contribute to Warri, you are part of the constituency.”
Sheriff also placed emphasis on women and youths, promising to pursue economic empowerment initiatives and engage relevant federal ministries, departments and agencies to attract employment, skills acquisition and other opportunities to the constituency.
He said his focus would not be limited to announcing programmes but would include creating channels through which qualified constituents could access available opportunities and build sustainable livelihoods.
The NDP candidate further promised to make accessibility, reliability and dependability central to his representation, saying constituents should be able to reach their representative and demand explanations on issues affecting their communities.
He said his ambition was not simply to occupy political office but to provide a form of representation that would produce measurable benefits for the people of Warri Federal Constituency.
“I am here to unveil my agenda at the NUJ Warri Correspondents’ Chapel for my ambition to contest for the Warri Federal Constituency under this well-packaged seven-point developmental agenda. I want you all to know that I have a focus and a structure for my ambition and how to achieve my goals,” Sheriff said.
He also declared that he expected the impact of his proposed agenda to become evident within his first four years in office.
“Before the first four years will run out, I will change Warri,” he declared.
Earlier, the Chairman of the NUJ Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, Okakuro Akpokona Omafuire, welcomed Sheriff to the chapel and encouraged political candidates to engage journalists and the public by clearly presenting their programmes and development plans.
The event also featured an interactive question-and-answer session, during which journalists sought clarifications from Sheriff on his agenda and political ambition.
The engagement was attended by journalists, political stakeholders and other personalities from across Delta State.
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