Warri 2027: Jubilation as NDP’s Mulade Sheriff Emerges, Pledges Ijaw-Itsekiri-Urhobo Unity, Development

By Tessy Ogbemi

WARRI, Delta State — Political excitement is building across Warri Federal Constituency as supporters of the National Democratic Party (NDP) rally behind its House of Representatives candidate, Comrade Mulade Blessing Sheriff, PhD, whose campaign is placing peace, unity and development among the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo at the heart of its 2027 agenda.

The mood of jubilation followed the official flag-off of Mulade’s campaign and consultation meeting with citizens, supporters and political stakeholders, where the NDP candidate presented himself as a candidate determined to take Warri Federal Constituency into what he described as a new era of inclusive and people-oriented representation.

Rather than making the 2027 contest solely about political power, Mulade is framing his candidacy around a bigger question: can the three major ethnic groups in the constituency unite around a common development agenda and demand more from government? The NDP candidate, a United Nations Peace Ambassador and environmental rights activist, told the gathering that the time had come for Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo people to put aside divisions and build a political relationship based on trust, peace and shared economic interests.

“We Cannot Continue to Fight Ourselves” In one of the strongest political messages of his address, Mulade declared:

“We cannot continue to fight ourselves, we cannot continue to deprive ourselves, we cannot continue to destroy ourselves.”

He urged constituents to rise above narrow ethnic and individual interests, arguing that unity among the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo would strengthen Warri's voice in the political space and improve its ability to attract federal attention and development.

According to him, the 2027 election should be about capacity, competence and the ability to represent the people effectively, rather than political theatrics or ethnic sentiments.

NDP Candidate Promises New Warri Agenda Mulade, who is the Ibe-Sorimowei of Ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government Area, said Warri Federal Constituency deserves stronger representation at the National Assembly because of its enormous contribution to Nigeria's economy.

He argued that despite the constituency's strategic economic importance, it has continued to face inadequate development, empowerment and federal attention.

If elected in 2027, he promised to pursue aggressive advocacy and constructive engagement with the Federal Government, Delta State Government, local governments and relevant stakeholders to secure greater development for the constituency.

“If elected in 2027 into the House of Representatives, Warri City and its environs would be given the deserved special attention through constructive advocacy and engagement with all relevant stakeholders.”

He further assured constituents that “the voice of Warri people will be heard constructively” at the National Assembly.

A major component of the NDP candidate's development pitch is the revival of economic infrastructure capable of creating jobs and stimulating investment.

Mulade specifically identified the Warri and Koko Seaports and Warri Industrial Park as projects requiring renewed attention.

He said he would work with relevant authorities and stakeholders to revive the facilities and unlock their potential for economic growth.

He also promised to champion youth and women empowerment through agriculture, fisheries and skills-acquisition programmes, describing employment creation as a major component of his proposed representation.

For Mulade, the essence of political representation should be measured not only by speeches in Abuja but by the opportunities and development that constituents can see and benefit from at home.

The NDP candidate also used the occasion to draw a sharp distinction between his candidacy and what he described as conventional political arrangements. "I am not here for a political funfair gathering to stand in the gap, neither am I a political mole or placeholder, but I am here to close the gap through constructive advocacy, engagement and inclusive approach.”

He described himself as an “independent and original voice” seeking to represent the people of Warri Federal Constituency without ethnic discrimination.

The statement appears designed to position the NDP candidate as an alternative to established political calculations ahead of the 2027 election.

Unity Before Development

For Mulade, the political future of Warri Federal Constituency is inseparable from the relationship among its major ethnic communities.

He maintained that development cannot thrive where political and ethnic divisions remain entrenched, urging the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo to recognise their common interests.

His proposed political philosophy is therefore built around a simple proposition: unity should become the foundation for development, while representation should become the vehicle for delivering it.

He described his candidacy as the “LIGHT OF HOPE” for Warri Federal Constituency and pledged to provide quality, people-oriented and inclusive representation.

“I wish to use this medium to humbly present myself as a critical stakeholder for quality people-oriented and inclusive representation that will deepen unity, peace, progress and development among the people of Warri Federal Constituency and Delta State at large.”

2027: A Contest for Political Direction

With the 2027 elections approaching, Mulade's emergence on the NDP platform adds another layer to the political contest in Warri Federal Constituency.

His campaign is deliberately combining ethnic reconciliation, economic development, youth employment and stronger federal advocacy in an attempt to build support across the constituency.

The immediate political challenge, however, will be translating the enthusiasm surrounding his campaign into a broad electoral coalition capable of cutting across the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo constituencies.

For now, the NDP candidate has made his political proposition clear: Warri should move beyond ethnic rivalry and political symbolism towards unity, economic opportunity and development.