Former Anambra State governor Peter Obi and Senator Seriake Dickson have taken their political engagement to the riverine communities of Bayelsa State, participating in a traditional boat regatta in Toru-Orua, Dickson’s hometown.
The event brought together the two politicians, local boatmen and traditional warriors for a cultural display that formed part of the New Democratic Congress (NDC)’s political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Politics Nigeria reports that the visit took place on Friday as Obi continued his engagements in Bayelsa alongside Dickson, a former governor of the state and the senator representing Bayelsa West.
Their participation in the regatta added a cultural dimension to the party’s mobilisation efforts, taking their engagement beyond conventional political gatherings and into communities where waterways remain central to transportation and everyday life.
Toru-Orua, located in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, holds particular significance for Dickson, who hails from the community.
The visit also offered Obi an opportunity to interact with residents and experience aspects of the traditional culture of the Niger Delta.
Dickson Insists Obi Wears Last Available Life Jacket
One of the notable moments during the boat procession occurred when some young boatmen reportedly offered Obi the last available life jacket.
Dickson reportedly insisted that the former Anambra governor, who is pursuing the presidency, should wear it, referring to the expectations of millions of Nigerians.
The incident attracted attention during the cultural outing as the politicians navigated the waterways alongside members of the community.
Beyond its cultural significance, the regatta provided a platform for the politicians to engage with residents in an environment that reflects the distinctive geography and traditions of Bayelsa State.
Dickson Describes Obi as a ‘Gift From Heaven’
Following the regatta, Dickson hosted Obi and other guests at a community dinner, where he reportedly described the former Anambra governor as a “gift from heaven”.
The former Bayelsa governor also expressed his commitment to supporting Obi’s presidential ambition as the NDC continues to position itself ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Obi’s engagements also took him to Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, where he commissioned the NDC secretariat.
During his interaction with party members, the former Anambra governor called for a new approach to leadership, arguing that Nigeria needs purposeful governance to address poverty, insecurity and other challenges affecting citizens.
His remarks formed part of the broader political engagement surrounding his Bayelsa visit.
Obi’s Bayelsa Boat Ride Recalls 2022 Flood Victims’ Visit
Obi’s participation in the Bayelsa boat regatta is not the first time the former Anambra governor has travelled through waterways during a public engagement.
On October 23, 2022, Obi visited victims of devastating floods in Umueri community, Anambra State, where he travelled by boat with the community’s President-General, Chief Johnny Chukwudi Metchie, to assess the destruction caused by the disaster.
The visit took place during Nigeria’s 2022 nationwide flooding, which displaced thousands of residents and destroyed homes, roads, farmlands and other properties across several states.
At the time, Obi was the presidential candidate of the Labour Party. He visited Umueri Unity Hall, where some displaced residents were taking refuge, accompanied by party chieftains, including Chief Tony Nwoye.
During the visit, Obi travelled by boat with Metchie to inspect affected areas and gain a better understanding of the difficulties facing residents.
He also donated food items and medicines to support the flood victims.
Metchie subsequently thanked Obi for visiting the displaced residents and providing assistance during a difficult period.
The community leader said Obi had arrived when the victims needed encouragement and material support from political leaders and other well-meaning Nigerians.
Metchie also called on the Federal Government and international organisations to take practical steps to address recurring flooding in communities across the country.
He specifically raised concerns about water releases from dams operated by Cameroonian authorities, which he identified as one of the factors contributing to flooding in parts of Nigeria.
His comments followed the widespread destruction caused by the 2022 floods, which affected communities in Anambra State and other parts of the country.
Obi Suspended Campaign Activities to Visit Flood Victims in 2022
Obi’s visit to Umueri formed part of a series of humanitarian engagements he undertook after temporarily suspending his presidential campaign activities to visit Nigerians affected by the flooding.
On October 19, 2022, the Labour Party presidential candidate had called on other presidential candidates to suspend their campaigns and support victims of the disaster.
Speaking to journalists in Benue State, Obi explained why he had put his political activities on hold to visit displaced residents.
He said: “Nigeria is greater than all of us and we must work hard, irrespective of our political differences, to ensure that we build a better Nigeria for our children.”
He also appealed to other presidential candidates to demonstrate concern for flood victims instead of continuing their political activities while thousands of Nigerians struggled with the consequences of the disaster.
“I personally stopped and told my people ‘no more campaign’, until we are able to visit some of the sites, at least to sympathise with those who are going through problems,” he stated.
ICIR Fact-Check Clarified Context of Obi’s Canoe Photograph
The October 2022 visit became a subject of renewed public discussion in April 2025 after photographs showing Obi travelling in a canoe were shared by President Bola Tinubu’s aide, Olusegun Dada.
The photographs emerged during an online exchange involving Obi and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and were presented as part of a political comparison concerning water transportation in Anambra and Lagos.
However, a fact-check published by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) on April 29, 2025, established that the photograph of Obi in a canoe was taken during his October 2022 visit to flood victims in Umueri.
The report clarified that the image was captured eight years after Obi had left office as Anambra State governor and was unrelated to the state of water transportation during his administration.
Obi’s latest participation in the Bayelsa boat regatta has therefore brought renewed attention to his engagements with riverine communities, this time alongside Dickson as the NDC steps up its political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.