Prophet Jones Ode Erue, pioneer chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, is a leading advocate for the re-election of Senator Joel Onowakpo Thomas (JOT), who represents Delta South Senatorial District.
In this interview with Hub 247 News, he speaks on Nigeria’s political and economic situation ahead of the 2027 general elections, President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the prospects of the APC, and the performance of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, among other issues.
What is your assessment of the country and its political development as the 2027 general elections approach?
Our country is moving in the right direction. Let me give you an example. If you have been borrowing money as an individual to support your family, and you borrow every day, what happens when you eventually die and your son takes over? Who will repay the debt? Is it not your son?
That is exactly what the President is doing. He is paying for the mistakes and debts incurred by previous administrations. He has insisted that he will not continue borrowing in the same manner as his predecessors but will instead stabilise the situation.
One of the first things he did was to stabilise our currency. The naira is stabilising, and although the dollar and pound remain expensive in comparison with it, the situation is becoming more predictable, allowing people to plan their businesses.
I assure you prophetically that the dollar will fall to two digits, or at least three digits, in the coming year.
The fact is that President Bola Tinubu has done a lot, but many Nigerians are not seeing it because of the level of hunger and hardship in the country.
If you are renovating a house, people may see only the debris and not the foundation you have laid or the new materials you are bringing in. That is exactly what is happening in Nigeria. Our country is moving in the right direction, and the President has done well in putting it on the right path.
Do you have any fears or concerns about the 2027 general elections?
Not at all! Why should I be afraid? I am a dual person; I speak prophetically.
I am not like some prophets who go to newspapers every day to make predictions about political events. They predict what Tinubu will do, what another person will do and what will happen next. This is not the time for such predictions.
People should realise that the Bible instructs us to pray for our leaders. We should return to reasonable practices rooted in the Holy Bible, giving to God what belongs to God and to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. We should not focus every day on Caesar while neglecting God.
I believe the 2027 elections will be beautiful. Despite the predictions of crisis and violence, I believe nothing of that nature will happen and that there will be a peaceful transition.
Do you believe the 2027 general election will reflect the will of the people?
People will vote, and you are a journalist. Did you register to vote? You registered, and I registered. If I vote and you vote, does that not reflect the will of the people?
People will exercise their right to vote, so I believe the 2027 elections will reflect the will of the people.
The funny thing about elections is that when people lose, they begin to complain that the outcome does not reflect the will of the people. But when they win, they say the election reflects the people’s will.
When the court decides in your favour, you say the judiciary is impartial and doing a great job. But if it rules against you, you accuse it of being corrupt.
That is human nature, and it is something Nigerians must change. We must change our political and societal attitudes and learn to view things from a better perspective if we want to make progress.
We are always quick to see doom and rarely acknowledge anything positive. When will we begin to recognise the good things happening around us?
The fact that your preferred candidate loses does not automatically mean the election was undemocratic. That is my position.
How do you assess INEC’s preparations and its capacity to conduct the 2027 elections, considering the millions of registered voters?
If I had known you would ask me this question, I would have gone to write an examination and studied for it because I am not a member of INEC.
I do not know why I should take the place of the commission and answer a question that concerns its preparations. However, as far as I am concerned, INEC has said it is fully prepared to conduct a credible exercise.
There are concerns about INEC’s neutrality, particularly because its chairman was appointed by the ruling party. What is your view?
In this country, who has appointed the chairman of the electoral commission since time immemorial?
When Chief Ovie Whisky was the chairman of the Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO), who appointed him? Was it not the President? Why should the situation be different now?
We should not raise unnecessary alarms. We should remain calm and give INEC a chance to do its work. There is an established process for these appointments.
What is your assessment of the recent election in Osun State, which Governor Ademola Adeleke won?
There is no doubt that the people decide elections.
If the election had gone the other way, people would have accused President Tinubu of rigging it. But who rigged this election? Did Adeleke rig it?
I have not seen journalists accusing Adeleke of rigging the election. If the result had been different, people would probably have said the election was unfair, undemocratic and did not reflect the will of the people.
But today, because Adeleke won, they say the election reflected the people’s will. That is the contradiction I am talking about.
Governor Adeleke worked, and the people decided to vote for him.
What are your expectations for the 2027 elections, and are you confident that the APC will perform well?
Let us look at the APC from where I stand today. In my ward or constituency, the APC will win 100 per cent. The party will also win my senatorial district and federal constituency.
You have known me since I was the chairman of the APC in Delta State and the party’s coordinating chairman. I have always been straightforward because I know where I am going.
I am saying that the APC is preparing to win an election, while some people are accusing the party of preparing to rig it. Why can’t they also prepare to win? If preparing to win an election is interpreted as preparing to rig, then others should also prepare to win.
The APC is fully prepared for the 2027 general elections. By the grace of God, the party will retain the presidency and win more seats in the Senate.
How do you view the rising hardship, unemployment and insecurity in the country?
Journalist, I have known you for years. Has unemployment not always been a problem in this country?
When I was growing up as a young boy, my mother would return from the market and complain that things had become expensive. She would say, “Ah, na wa! Life is difficult. Things are so expensive in the market today.”
I grew up, got married and started a family, and my wife would also return from the market with similar complaints.
It means there is something that has not changed. As life goes on, people view things from different perspectives.
When you are rebuilding a house, there will inevitably be debris that must be cleared before construction can continue. I agree that the cost of living is rising, but I believe the situation is temporary.
We cannot treat a wound by simply applying medicine on top of it without examining it. We need to examine the wound and remove the infection. That is what the President is doing today. He is treating the wound and removing the germs.
People are complaining about hardship, and I agree that life is difficult for both you and me. But I believe that things will improve.
Nigeria is among the countries that contribute significantly to the global economy. Our foreign reserves are increasing, and these are some of the indicators used to assess a country’s macroeconomic performance.
I believe the rising cost of living is a temporary situation that will eventually give way to better conditions.
That is why you and I should campaign for President Bola Tinubu, rather than for a candidate who promises to restore fuel subsidy. If a government removes subsidy and another promises to bring it back, what does that mean for the economy? That is not a sound economic approach. It is like playing a game in which the more you see, the less you get.
That is my position. Let us campaign for President Tinubu, even though I am currently an APC member and I consider myself a statesman because of my contributions to the political arena.
I can boldly say that I have worked under different presidents. As a student of political science and political economy, I have observed what it takes to run a government.
President Bola Tinubu is running a good government, and we should support his return to office so that he can complete the work he has started and establish a template for future generations to build upon.
Are you convinced that Tinubu’s reforms are now yielding positive results?
Yes, I am convinced.
What were your major achievements as chairman of the APC in Delta State?
My major achievement was building an APC that was not corrupt and refusing to allow the party to become an extension of the then-ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The ruling party at the time wanted the APC to become an extension of the PDP, but I refused and stood my ground. I worked to build the APC in Delta State.
I laid a strong foundation upon which my successor built. Today, the same APC that I nurtured, which was once dismissed and described in derogatory terms, is now being celebrated by many people.
I believe I achieved a great deal during my tenure.
What are the prospects of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori in the 2027 governorship election?
His prospects are bright. The political dynamics are clear, and I do not think he has a serious contender.
There must be a contender before anyone can be afraid. If you know of one, present that person and let me hear about him.
I do not know of any other governorship candidate in the state. I consider myself a statesman who should be concerned about the state irrespective of political party.
If there were a serious candidate from another party, I believe I would know about that person. Such a candidate should have visited me to solicit my support, but I am not aware of anyone.
I know only one candidate, and he belongs to my party. He has no contender, so why should I be worried about his chances?
I will not change my position simply to answer the question differently. I believe he has no contender.
Do you believe Deltans are enjoying the dividends of democracy under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori?
You are a Deltan, Obire. Are you enjoying the dividends of democracy?
Journalist: I am based in Lagos.
It does not matter whether you are based in Lagos. I am based in Abuja, but that does not stop me from being concerned about what is happening in Delta State.
You asked me this question, and you should also consider the progress being made.
Journalist: Some ethnic groups, particularly the Ijaw, have complained that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has constructed three bridges in Effurun, while another bridge is under construction in Ughelli.
The Ijaw people should understand what Governor Oborevwori stands for. He is a governor for everyone, not just the Urhobo.
If you come to my polling unit intending to vote against him, I will try to convince you to vote for him because he belongs to my party.
I believe he is doing well. We should not base our opinions on rumours. My argument is based on statistics and records on the ground.
Obire, you have not been seeing me on television as much as before. I decided not to talk too much because, as you know, I can engage in discussions for a long time.
Governor Oborevwori is trying, and I believe we should give him a chance.
People initially wrote him off, but since he assumed office, he has undertaken projects and other activities that can be seen. Those who are complaining should also take another look at what has been done.
What is your final message?
I want to appeal to everyone to give President Bola Tinubu the opportunity to set the stage for future governance.
We are coming from a difficult situation, and someone is working to clear the mess. At this point, I believe we should give him a second term so that he can complete the work he has started and establish a standard against which future leaders can be judged.
In Delta State, let us support our leaders. I also want to appeal to journalists to pay attention to Senator Joel Onowakpo Thomas, popularly known as JOT, on the floor of the Senate.
You will appreciate what he does in the Senate Chamber, and you will see how his representation can become a source of public interest and engagement.
I am referring to Senator Joel Onowakpo Thomas, who represents Delta South Senatorial District in the Senate. He has performed creditably well, and people should be proud of him. Journalists should report his achievements.
He has gone into areas where others have been reluctant to venture and has come out with results. He is a great man.
I will conclude by urging Nigerians to vote for President Bola Tinubu, Senator Joel Onowakpo Thomas and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori. I am calling on people to vote five over five for APC candidates so that the government can work together and set the stage for the future.
