ASABA, Delta State — Dr. Emmanuel Unuafe has announced Hon. Kenneth Chibuogwu Gbandi as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election in Delta State, a move political observers are describing as a strategic masterstroke designed to broaden his movement, energise the grassroots, and unite critical political bases across the state and beyond.
Unuafe, the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made the announcement directly to airport correspondents, signalling the beginning of a new political alliance aimed at reshaping the calculus ahead of the 2027 election. The choice of Gbandi, a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC, former Delta North Senatorial candidate, and Chairman of the Delta State Coalition, brings a rare combination of grassroots credibility, international exposure, and established political structure to the ticket.
Gbandi is widely regarded as a natural bridge connecting the ADC legacy family, the Delta North political base, the youth movement, and the global Nigerian diaspora community. His deep ties to the region and his ability to rally support across traditional political, generational, and regional lines make him a formidable addition to the Unuafe ticket.
The partnership is built on a shared commitment to competence, inclusion, accountability, and a genuine fresh start for Delta State. Both men are young, globally exposed, and intimately connected to the everyday realities of ordinary Deltans. Crucially, they remain untainted by the historical political liabilities and baggage that have held the state back for decades, offering voters a departure from the politics of the past.
Their combined experience reflects a powerful equilibrium of intellectual depth, reform-minded leadership, diaspora competence, and exceptional grassroots mobilisation. For the ADC legacy group, the choice of Gbandi signals a profound respect for party history, loyalty, and collective sacrifice. For the people of Delta North, it represents strategic relevance and well-deserved regional inclusion. For the diaspora, it stands as a direct call to action—a vivid reminder that global experience can be effectively translated into local transformation.
Unuafe and Gbandi are uniquely positioned to build a broad-based movement capable of inspiring public confidence and offering voters a credible alternative anchored on vision and courage. Their ticket is seen as a response to the growing demand for a new generation of leaders who prioritise the welfare of the people over personal enrichment.
The announcement has already generated significant buzz across Delta State, with many political analysts predicting that the Unuafe/Gbandi ticket could reshape the political landscape and challenge the dominance of established parties. The ADC, which has been repositioning itself as a formidable opposition force, is expected to leverage the popularity of its candidates to mobilise support across the state’s three senatorial districts.
This partnership is more than just a political ticket; it is a declaration that Delta State deserves better. It is a testament to the belief that politics can be clean, competent, and genuinely people-driven. In the eyes of many analysts, the Unuafe/Gbandi alliance represents a new dawn for Delta, one characterised by hope with audacity and courage with purpose. Delta’s positive beginning starts now.
