As political permutations begin to unfold ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Delta State chapter of the Tinubu Mandate Group (TMG) has appealed to the founding leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, to contest the Delta Central senatorial seat.
The call was made in a statement, after a stakeholders’ review meeting of the group. TMG noted that 2026, as the pre-election year, would be critical for consultations, leadership grooming and strategic planning across the district, stressing the need for credible and experienced individuals to indicate interest early.
According to the group, its position is rooted in a long-standing political relationship with Emerhor. It recalled the role played by its convener, Chief Ejiro Nomuoja, in mobilising grassroots support for Emerhor during the 2013 Delta Central senatorial bye-election. The statement said Nomuoja and his team led wide-ranging community engagements, strengthened ward structures and boosted media presence efforts TMG believes laid a solid foundation for its renewed call.
TMG said the experience gained from that election has given it confidence to encourage Emerhor to enter the 2027 race. The group described him as one of the most seasoned technocrats within the APC in Delta State, highlighting his First Class degree in Accounting from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, as well as executive training at institutions such as IMD Switzerland and Lagos Business School.
It also drew attention to his extensive banking career, which spanned Citibank, Fidelity Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank and Crystal Bank, before he became Nigeria’s youngest Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer in the banking sector in 1995. The group further referenced his role in transforming Comet Merchant Bank into First Atlantic Bank and his later service as Vice-Chairman of FinBank.
Beyond his corporate achievements, TMG pointed to Emerhor’s philanthropic work through the Fair Life Africa Foundation, which has supported child reunification, education sponsorship and welfare initiatives for vulnerable families, describing these efforts as proof of his strong grassroots connection.
The group also recalled Emerhor’s contributions to the growth of the APC in Delta State, including his emergence as the party’s first governorship candidate in 2015 and his continued support for party structures and candidates during the 2023 general elections.
TMG said Delta Central needs “experienced and steady representation” in the National Assembly, especially as the state seeks to better align local interests with national development goals. It maintained that Emerhor’s background and long-standing involvement in the APC make him well suited for the role.
The group therefore urged political stakeholders, community leaders and party members across the district to back its call for Emerhor to join the 2027 senatorial contest, insisting that Delta Central must present its “most prepared and credible candidate” for the race.
