By Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, Esq.
Delta State Governor and leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori, on Friday led a high-powered delegation of political leaders and stakeholders to Warri for the funeral of late Mrs. Felicia Oritseolumewo Arenyeka, mother of the Delta APC Chairman, Chief Solomon Arenyeka.
The funeral, held at the First Baptist Church, Warri, brought together a broad spectrum of Delta’s political establishment, including serving and former political office holders, lawmakers, traditional rulers, community leaders and senior government officials.
Governor Oborevwori was accompanied by his wife, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori. Among the dignitaries at the ceremony were the immediate past Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa; Lady Catherine Onyeme, wife of the Deputy Governor; Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor; Senators Joel-Onowakpo Thomas and Ede Dafinone; Hon. Nicholas Mutu; Hon. Francis Waive; and the Chief Adviser to the Governor, Chief Senator Ighoyota Amori, Ph.D.
The gathering was more than a ceremonial display of political presence. It offered a visible demonstration of solidarity with the APC state chairman and his family at a moment of personal loss.
Oborevwori Mobilises Delta APC Family
As leader of the ruling APC in Delta State, Oborevwori’s decision to lead the party’s political family to the funeral carried both personal and institutional significance.
Chief Arenyeka occupies a strategic position within the state’s APC structure, and the governor’s presence, alongside prominent party members and political stakeholders, underscored the importance of solidarity and cohesion within the party.
The gathering also offered a rare picture of Delta’s political architecture, with serving and former office holders, legislators and influential stakeholders converging around a grieving family.
Although the event was not a political rally or party convention, the political symbolism was unmistakable.
The presence of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, the immediate past governor, alongside Oborevwori further strengthened the sense of political continuity and fraternity at the occasion.
Pastor Preaches on Leadership, Humility
Delivering the funeral exhortation, the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church, Warri, Rev. Jesse Okoroji Jnr., described the late Mrs. Arenyeka as a “woman of songs,” highlighting her positive influence on her family and community.
In his message titled “Life’s Practical Challenges to Christians and Office Holders,” the cleric urged Christians and public office holders to embrace humility, steadfastness and faithfulness.
His message was particularly significant given the number of political leaders and public officials in attendance.
He reminded the congregation that political power is temporary, while character, service and the impact made on society constitute more enduring measures of leadership.
Pastor Commends Oborevwori’s Warri Development Projects
Rev. Okoroji also commended the Oborevwori administration for its development initiatives, particularly the ongoing transformation of Warri through the administration’s urban renewal programme.
He cited the construction of flyovers, bridges and other infrastructure projects, comparing aspects of the emerging cityscape to Dubai.
The cleric, however, appealed for the acceleration of work on the Warri-Sapele-Benin Highway, stressing the importance of strategic road infrastructure to transportation, commerce and economic development.
He also commended the prevailing peace in Delta State, noting that stability remains essential for sustainable development, investment and effective governance.
A Demonstration of Political Solidarity
The funeral also highlighted another dimension of political leadership: the ability to rally around members of a political family during moments of grief.
Political organisations are often measured by their electoral strength, campaign structures and ability to mobilise voters. But their deeper cohesion can also be tested by how they respond when one of their own faces personal tragedy.
By mobilising the state’s political establishment to identify with Chief Arenyeka, Oborevwori demonstrated that the Delta APC is not only an electoral structure but also a political community capable of standing together beyond partisan contests.
There was no need for campaign rhetoric or political grandstanding.
The message was conveyed through presence, solidarity and collective support.
For Chief Arenyeka and his family, Friday was a day of mourning and farewell to a beloved mother.
For Delta’s political establishment, however, the gathering became a moment that demonstrated the strength of relationships across the state’s political landscape.
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Oborevwori did not merely attend the funeral. He mobilised the political family around one of its own.
In Warri, Delta’s political leaders stood together to honour Mrs. Arenyeka and support her family — a solemn reminder that leadership is not only about political power, but also about humanity, compassion and solidarity.
Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, Esq., is the Director-General, Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Governor’s Office, Asaba.