By Festus Ahon
IN a stunning political shift, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and key leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State officially defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday in Asaba.
The high-profile defection was formally announced during a press briefing at Government House, Asaba, shortly after a crucial meeting involving PDP leaders and stakeholders.
Described as the most significant political realignment in Delta State since 1999, the move came after wide consultations.
The Pioneer Chairman of the PDP in Delta State, Senator James Manager, explained it thus: “You have just seen the outcome of consultations that have been going on for some time. This is a unanimous agreement. As a riverine man, I can’t stay in a boat that is sinking. It’s time for a collective change.”
He added, “Just days ago, the PDP Governors’ Forum met in Ibadan and resolved not to form coalitions with other parties. With only about 11 governors left, how can we challenge an incumbent President? That decision demoralized many PDP members. We have seen leadership instability, and the party is truly in crisis.”
Manager emphasized the presence of key figures in the decision-making meeting, including the current PDP state chairman, the governor, deputy governor, former governor, speaker of the State House of Assembly, National Assembly members, Local Government Council chairmen, and other top officials.
Mr. Charles Aniagwu, State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, also commented, saying the move was in response to troubling events within the PDP at the national level. “For a while now, there’s been speculation in the media about the direction of our political leadership,” Aniagwu said.
“The governor and party leaders have been consulting widely, and this decision stems from those discussions. As the taste of palm wine changes, so must the drinking pattern. The political climate has shifted, and we needed to respond accordingly.”
Aniagwu continued, “This move will solidify development, unity, and security in our state. Politics is local, and collaborating with our people in the APC is necessary to preserve the progress we have made.”
Aniagwu likened the PDP’s national outlook to a change in the taste of palm wine that is no longer palatable. He confirmed that by Monday, they would formally move to the APC, where Vice President Kashim Shettima, National Chairman of the APC, would receive the PDP defectors at a rally in Asaba.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, the immediate past Governor of the state, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, National Assembly members from the state, State House of Assembly Speaker Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, civil commissioners, local government chairmen, party officials, and other stakeholders. It marked a full-circle moment as nearly all Delta PDP leaders resolved to follow Oborevwori into the APC.
Meanwhile, the APC has embraced the defection, calling it a “historic fusion” that strengthens its base in the South-South region. The National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, welcomed Oborevwori, Okowa and others, stating the party would fully accommodate and support them.
In a statement by APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka, Ganduje expressed delight at the development.
“The National Working Committee of the APC, under the leadership of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, is elated by the decision of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to join our great party, alongside former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, National Assembly members, state lawmakers, local government leaders, and teeming PDP supporters,” he said.
Morka said the defection followed a wave of PDP leaders crossing over to the APC across Delta State, including members of the Delta Unity Group in the Ika federal constituency.
“Delta is now an APC state and is poised to contribute to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and to the progress of all Nigerians,” he said.
The shift has triggered strong acceptance across the state, with party loyalists updating supporters on the new direction at the grassroots level.
With Oborevwori now firmly in APC colours, the political landscape of the South-South tightens, enhancing President Tinubu’s re-election chances by potentially bringing 1.4 million Delta votes into the ruling party’s column.
