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- Mass defection to APC, defining moment for Delta, Nigeria — Ogboru
The national leadership of People’s Democratic Party has instructed its Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, to prepare legal processes to take the Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori; Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, the party’s former Vice Presidential candidate, and the entire PDP structure in Delta to court for defecting to the All Progressives Congress.
Addressing journalists after the first meeting of the National Working Committee for the year, the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, explained that the party was prepared to challenge the defection legally to reclaim its mandate, as the officials were initially elected under the PDP platform.
The Chairman further disclosed that the party has tasked Emma Ogidi, the Caretaker Chairman for the South-South zone, with taking over the leadership structure of the Delta State PDP.
Ogidi is also to search for new party leaders, while disregarding the existing leadership under Chief Dan Orbih.
On April 23, 2025, a dramatic defection saw Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor Oborevwori, and the entire PDP structure in Delta State join the APC.
This marked a significant shift in one of the PDP’s strongholds.
In a major political realignment, Delta’s Deputy Governor, Monday Onyeme, state commissioners, local government chairmen, and the state’s grassroots machinery all joined the APC after a closed-door meeting in Asaba, which was reportedly influenced by the political changes known as the “Hurricane Tinubu”.
This defection has raised concerns of a potential drift toward a one-party state, according to opposition claims.
Meanwhile, the PDP has scheduled its National Executive Committee meeting for May 27, to further discuss the developments.
Mass defection to APC, defining moment for Delta, Nigeria — Ogboru
Meanwhile, a popular Delta State politician, Great Ogboru, has welcomed the defecting leaders of the PDP in the state into the APC, while describing the political development as “a defining moment for Delta State and Nigeria.”
Ogboru, who was the 2019 governorship candidate of APC in Delta State, said that the defection of Oborevwori, his immediate predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa and other erstwhile leaders and members of the PDP to APC in Delta State “signifies a turning point in our State’s political history.”
These were contained in a statement he signed, copies of which were made available to journalists in Warri on Tuesday.
While maintaining that the mass defection of the PDP leaders and members in Delta into APC was “A historic move not only for APC, but for the entire state”, Ogboru noted with delight that “With Delta State aligning with the party (APC) at the centre, it is certain that a new chapter has been set for greater collaboration, impactful governance and a more inclusive political process.”
The statement added, “I welcome His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Elder Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor of Delta State, former Governor of Delta State, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa and other political heavyweights of PDP to the Delta APC. I congratulate them on this decision for our great party, the APC.
“This is a defining moment for Delta State and Nigeria. It signifies a turning point in our State’s political history because Oborevwori’s decision will further reunite our people and fasten development and progressive governance in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“With Delta State aligning with the party at the centre, it is certain that a new chapter has been set for greater collaboration, impactful governance, and a more inclusive political process. This synergy between the Federal Government and Delta State will ensure significant benefits to our people in Delta State in terms of infrastructure and human capital development.
“Together we will build the Delta State of our dreams and write a new chapter in Delta State’s political history. Together, we shall steer the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to greater heights. Together, we will work tirelessly to achieve greatness for Delta State and Nigeria.”
Evasion of prosecution behind wave of defections — Dalung
Also, a former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has blamed the need for protection over alleged corruption cases as the reason for the recent gale of defections into the ruling APC.
Dalung spoke on Tuesday during his appearance on a television programme.
While Oborevwori said the defection was in the interest of the oil-rich state, Dalung does not agree with the governor’s argument.
“The wave of defections or the gale of defections of the political elites who are repositioning themselves either for survival, protection, or evasion of prosecution cannot be taken seriously by students of Nigerian politics,” Dalung said.
According to him, it is the electorate that should decide if an elected officeholder should defect.