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The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Usiwoghene Unuafe, a Project Management professor at Arden University, Coventry, UK, has unveiled an ambitious 14-point development agenda aimed at transforming the state into what he described as Africa’s leading sub-national economy between 2027 and 2035.

Unuafe, whose campaign slogan is “For A New Delta,” said his administration would deploy the state’s oil wealth to drive investments in agriculture, industrialisation, infrastructure, digital technology, housing and human capital development rather than relying solely on federal revenue.

According to a campaign document released by the candidate, his vision is “to transform Delta State into Africa’s leading sub-national economy – a globally competitive, technology-driven, industrialised and prosperous state where every citizen has the opportunity to thrive, every community is connected, and every family enjoys security, dignity and a better quality of life.”

The campaign document, which features Unuafe alongside his running mate, Kenneth Gbandi, states that “oil money must build farms, factories, skills, roads, ports, power, housing and digital jobs,” underscoring the campaign’s emphasis on economic diversification and job creation.

Unuafe said his administration would prioritise the complete digitisation of government operations to improve transparency, efficiency and accountability. He pledged to establish a unified digital platform for revenue collection, budgeting, procurement, licensing, taxation and land administration while engaging digitally-savvy young professionals to build and manage the systems.

On agriculture, the ADC candidate promised to reduce Delta’s dependence on oil by investing heavily in mechanised farming, agro-processing and agribusiness. He said the goal would be to improve food security, lower food prices, create rural employment and boost agricultural exports.

The health sector, according to the blueprint, would receive significant investment through the establishment of functional primary healthcare centres in every ward, the upgrade of hospitals with modern equipment, digitise health records and the recruitment of more healthcare professionals.

Unuafe also pledged major investments in infrastructure, including rural farm-to-market roads, improved urban road networks, modern traffic management systems and the development of rail networks linking the state’s three senatorial districts through partnerships with private investors.

On security, he proposed the deployment of community-based CCTV surveillance systems, technology-driven crime prevention measures and faster emergency response mechanisms, while stressing that “no individual, regardless of status, will be above the law.”

The development plan also outlines a diversified energy strategy based on gas, solar, wind and waste-to-energy projects, alongside the transition of public institutions to alternative energy sources.

To boost industrialisation, Unuafe said his administration would work with the Federal Government and private investors to revive key industrial assets, including Delta Steel Company, Delta Glass Company, Asaba Textile Mill, Koko Port, rubber manufacturing facilities and agro-processing hubs.

The ADC candidate further promised reforms in education by equipping schools with internet connectivity, digital learning tools, modern laboratories and well-trained teachers, while integrating coding, artificial intelligence, robotics and digital entrepreneurship into secondary school curricula.

His vision also includes expanding broadband infrastructure, establishing ICT innovation centres and revitalising technical colleges to equip young people with globally competitive digital skills.

The blueprint outlines programmes to support women through grants, business development services, vocational training and access to finance, while proposing urban renewal projects, improved waste management, environmental sanitation, tree planting and modern drainage systems to create cleaner and more liveable communities.

In the areas of culture and tourism, Unuafe promised to restore historical landmarks, develop riverine tourism, improve tourism infrastructure and promote cultural festivals and recreational facilities.

He also pledged to establish sports academies across the state’s three senatorial districts, organise annual sporting competitions and create pathways for youth development through sports.

For vulnerable groups, the plan proposes monthly stipends and free healthcare for senior citizens, free public transport for the elderly, legislation to establish care homes and maternity support initiatives for first-time mothers.

Describing the blueprint as more than a political manifesto, Unuafe said it represents “a vision for building a Delta State where innovation drives government, agriculture feeds the nation, industries create jobs, infrastructure connects communities, technology empowers young people, and prosperity is shared by all.

“Our mission is clear: to transform Delta State from a resource-rich state into a knowledge-driven, industrialised, globally competitive economic powerhouse where every citizen has the opportunity to succeed. The Delta Renaissance begins now.”

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The Department of State Service (DSS) has arraigned five associates of former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Silva, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations that they concealed information about the whereabouts of their principal, who the agency said was implicated as a financier of an alleged aborted coup attempt against President Bola Tinubu.

Silva, a former Governor of Bayelsa State, has been declared wanted by the Federal Government, while some of his identified properties have been marked for forfeiture following allegations that he sponsored and masterminded the purported coup plot.

The five associates — Reuben Ayuba, Musa Mohammed, Friday Paul, Paganengigha Anagaha and Ayebaifife Suobite — were brought before Justice Peter Lifu on Wednesday and charged with allegedly concealing the whereabouts of Silva, who the DSS described as a fugitive of the law.

A two-count charge filed against them indicated that the accused persons, on April 28, 2026, became accessories after the fact of felony by concealing the whereabouts of Timiprey Silva, said to be a fugitive of the law.

The alleged offence is said to be contrary to Section 519 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The DSS also accused them of conspiracy to commit a felony, specifically concealing the whereabouts of Timiprey Silva, who is described as a fugitive of the law, contrary to Section 516 of the Criminal Code LFN, 2004.

However, all the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them.

DSS lawyer, Emmanuel Orubor, urged the court to fix a date for the agency to open its case by calling witnesses to testify against the accused persons.

Meanwhile, Sunusi Musa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who represented Reuben Ayuba and Paganengigha Anagaha, the first and fourth accused persons, moved applications for bail on behalf of his clients.

Similar bail applications were also argued by Ibrahim Imadegbelo, who represented Musa Mohammed, the second accused person; I. G. Kelubia, who stood for Friday Paul, the third defendant; and E. C. Sogo, who represented Ayebaifife Suobite, the fifth accused person.

The lawyers informed Justice Lifu that their clients had been in custody since October 25, 2025, and urged the court to admit them to bail on liberal terms.

In a brief ruling, Justice Lifu granted the accused persons bail in the sum of N5 million each, with two sureties each in the like sum.

The sureties are required to swear to an affidavit of means, provide evidence of three years’ tax payment, show evidence of visible means of livelihood and deposit their recent passport photographs.

Justice Lifu further ordered that the identities of the sureties must be verified by the Registrar of the Court.

Pending the perfection of the bail conditions, the judge ordered that the accused persons be remanded in Kuje Prison.

The judge fixed July 22 for the commencement of trial.

The charges against them read:

COUNT ONE:
“That you, RUBEN AYUBA, MUSA MOHAMMED, FRIDAY PAUL, PAGANENGIGHA ANAGAHA and AYEBAIFIE SUOBITE, adults, males, on or about the 28th day of April, 2026, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did become accessories after the fact of felony by concealing the whereabouts of Timiprey Silva, who is a fugitive of the law and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 519 of the Criminal Code Act LFN, 2004.”

COUNT TWO:
“That you, RUBEN AYUBA, MUSA MOHAMMED, FRIDAY PAUL, PAGANENGIGHA ANAGAHA and AYEBAIFIE SUOBITE, adults, males, on or about the 28th day of April, 2026, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did conspire to commit a felony to wit: concealing the whereabouts of Timiprey Silva, who is a fugitive of the law and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 516 of the Criminal Code LFN, 2004.”