Paddle across the delta, the sea winds at your back, spotting storks, herons and kingfishers along the shore (three hours from €25).
But he who pays the piper must dictate the tune, and the delta has been paying the piper for so very long.
The delta gradually swelled from tiny backwaters to vast estuaries.
Orubebe was a former minister of Rivers state, a key battleground in the volatile Niger delta, which produces much of the country's oil.
Shell's record in the Niger delta has come under fire from environmental groups, including Friends of the Earth.
The two million barrels of oil pumped from the delta each day provide more than 90% of Nigeria's foreign income, but the delta communities have little to show for it beyond contamination and violence, with youths resorting to hostage-taking and extortion.
Mr Shaad spoke of frustration among the delta communities because their first point of contact with the company often came through Shell's security forces, a situation he described as "guns first".
"My community in the Niger delta want the new president to deal with corruption, pollution, youth unemployment and electricity.
It said violence in the Niger delta, where a majority of Nigeria's oil reserves are located, kills around 1,000 people each year.
Jonathan fared better in his southern home territory, including the oil-rich Niger delta, but was far less effective than Buhari in persuading his support base to turn out.
His Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force pushed oil prices to record highs in 2004 with attacks and threats against production in the delta's swampy creeks.
