“This extension is a clear demonstration of the confidence reposed in the Board by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and Speaker Emomotimi Dennis Guwor”
By Sam Ovie
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Published on June 30, 2026
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3 min read
The Delta State Councillors Forum has congratulated the Governing Board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, following the approval of a one-year tenure extension granted to the board by the Delta State House of Assembly.
In a statement signed by the Chairman of the Forum, Rt. Hon. Ekpemupolo Idukedoumene Samuel, and the Secretary, Rt. Hon. Michael Okonji, the councillors described the extension as a welcome development and a demonstration of confidence in the DESOPADEC leadership.
The Forum said the approval, granted by the House of Assembly on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, reflected the confidence reposed in the board by the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, and the State Legislature under the leadership of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor.
“This extension is a clear demonstration of the confidence reposed in the Board by His Excellency, the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, and the Delta State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Rt. Hon. Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor,” the statement read.
The Forum commended the decision and expressed confidence that the DESOPADEC Board would continue to drive development across oil-producing communities in the state.
While congratulating the board, the councillors appealed to Governor Oborevwori, Speaker Guwor and members of the Delta State House of Assembly to also consider the extension and harmonisation of tenure for elected Local Government officials in the state.
According to the Forum, one of the major resolutions reached during the 2025 Delta State Councillors’ Symposium was the need to extend and harmonise Local Government tenure to four years.
The councillors said the call was in line with the Supreme Court judgment delivered on July 11, 2024, which reaffirmed the constitutional status, autonomy and democratic integrity of Local Governments as the third tier of government in Nigeria.
The Forum noted that a four-year tenure for elected Local Government officials would strengthen grassroots governance, deepen accountability and provide enough time for chairmen and councillors to effectively deliver on their mandates.
“A four-year tenure for elected Local Government officials will deepen democratic governance, ensure continuity in development programmes, strengthen accountability, and provide adequate time for councillors and chairmen to effectively deliver on their mandates to the people,” the statement added.
The councillors further urged both the Executive and Legislative arms of the Delta State Government to begin the necessary constitutional and legislative processes to align the tenure of elected Local Government officials in the state with what they described as the emerging national direction.
“We therefore humbly urge the Executive and Legislative Arms of the State Government to initiate the necessary constitutional and legislative processes that will harmonize and align the tenure of Local Government elected officials in Delta State with the emerging national direction and the principles espoused by the Supreme Court,” the Forum stated.
The Forum again congratulated the DESOPADEC Board on the tenure extension, expressing confidence in the commitment of the Governor and the Delta State House of Assembly to strengthening democratic governance, grassroots institutions and inclusive development across the state.
