The National Democratic Party (NDP) candidate for Warri Federal Constituency in the 2027 general elections, Chief (Comrade) Mulade B. Sheriff, PhD, has pledged that the four major ethnic and resident groups in Warri — Ijaw, Urhobo, Itsekiri and non-indigenes residing in the city — would be carried along in his proposed representation if elected.
Sheriff made the pledge 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 his vision was to build a constituency where no community or group would feel excluded, stressing that the diversity of Warri should be regarded as a strength that could be harnessed for peace, development and economic growth.
According to him, Ijaw, Urhobo, Itsekiri and Nigerians from other parts of the country who have made Warri their home, work and contributed to its development are all part of the constituency and should have a sense of belonging.
“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.
Sheriff said that, if he emerged as the representative of Warri Federal Constituency, his approach would be to build bridges across ethnic and community lines and ensure that the concerns of different groups were reflected in his legislative priorities.
He added: “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.”
The candidate said his seven-point agenda was anchored on purpose-driven representation, unity-driven representation, people-oriented representation, inclusive representation, economic empowerment, employment opportunities, and accessibility, reliability and dependability.
He said unity-driven and inclusive representation would require constant engagement with communities and stakeholders across Warri South, Warri North and Warri South-West Local Government Areas.
Sheriff also promised to place particular emphasis on women and youths, saying his proposed representation would pursue economic empowerment, skills acquisition, employment opportunities and access to relevant federal government programmes.
He said he would engage ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government to attract opportunities to the constituency, while creating channels through which qualified residents could benefit from such programmes.
“We are not just going to talk about empowerment. We will look for opportunities and make sure that our people, especially our women and youths, are able to access them,” he said.
On accessibility, reliability and dependability, Sheriff said constituents should have a representative who could be reached and held accountable on issues affecting their communities.
He said his ambition was not simply to occupy a political office but to provide representation that would translate into tangible benefits for residents 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 further said he expected the impact of his proposed agenda to become evident within his first four years if elected.
“Before the first four years will run out, I will change Warri,” he declared.
Sheriff’s emphasis on unity and inclusive representation is consistent with statements attributed to him during his 2027 campaign and stakeholder engagements, where he has spoken about peaceful coexistence and development among Warri’s Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo communities.
Earlier, the Chairman of the NUJ Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, Okakuro Akpokona Omafuire, welcomed Sheriff to the chapel and urged 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.