A political wave swept through the landscape of Delta State yesterday.
The entire political structure of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) dissolved into the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori led the immediate-past Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, all political appointees, all elected public office holders and all party executives in a mass defection to the APC.
Okowa was the running mate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, PDP standard bearer in the 2023 presidential election.
The decision was announced after a meeting of party leaders, political office holders, serving and former and other stakeholders at Government House, Asaba.
The governor, who presided, promised to speak further on the development on Monday at a rally.
Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, a journalist, said the PDP leadership in the state came to an “inevitable conclusion” that leaving the party was the only way to ensure political stability.
“The decision was taken to build the bond of love that has existed in our state, to further advance the cause of security and welfare of our people, and to a very large extent, ensure that development in Delta, because every politics is local.
“In taking that decision, we came to the inevitable conclusion that moving out of the PDP is very, very necessary for us to be able to collaborate with our kith and kin and build that state that every Deltan will be proud of.
“It is said that when the taste of the palm wine changes, the drinking pattern also changes. The leaders of the party were unanimous in their view that the political temperature has changed.
“And there was a need for change that would help cement the development in our state; to build the bond of love that has existed in our state, and to further advance the security and welfare of our people.
“We believe that what is happening in the PDP at the national level can be likened to that palm wine whose taste has changed, and that is why this decision has been taken.
“By the grace of God, next Monday, we will be able to make a bold statement that we are moving to the APC.”
Pioneer Chairman of the PDP in the state, Senator James Manager, said the decision was taken in consultation with stakeholders.
He said: “It is a unanimous agreement. I am the pioneer state chairman of the PDP, but you cannot be in a boat that is already capsizing, because I am a riverine man.
“Looking at issues the way they are, we have come to the inevitable conclusion to do something else. It is a collective decision for so many reasons.
“A few days ago, there was a resolution taken by the PDP Governors Forum in Ibadan.
“Almost all the governors were there, and they resolved that they would not go into coalition with any other party.
“Today, Senator Anyanwu is the National Secretary of the party. Tomorrow, it is another person.
“The party must be positioned to go into an election to win. So you see that it is becoming very funny. The PDP is truly in trouble.”
The defectors will be received by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Monday rally.
Also at the meeting were members of the National Assembly, House of Assembly Speaker Emomotimi Guwor, members of the House, commissioners, council chairmen, top government functionaries and party officials.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), welcomed the defectors.
He stated in a post on X: “Today is the day the Lord has made in Delta State. Finally, finally, Delta is APC!
“Thank you, Mr. President, for your leadership that has attracted the best to our Party.
“Thank you, my leader & Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, for your foresight and courage in taking this bold decision.”
A member of the PDP National Working Committee who spoke with us expressed concern that the Delta governor may be the first among three governors who will dump the PDP for APC before the end of this year.
“Talks reached advanced stages with three PDP governors and two more will likely be going within the next few months,” the source said.
The APC welcomed Oborevwori.
National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said in a statement: “The National Working Committee of the APC under the leadership of His Excellency, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, is highly elated by the decision of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, to join our great party, along with eminent leaders of the PDP, including former Governor of Delta State and vice presidential candidate of the PDP in the 2023 presidential election, His Excellency Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, senior administration officials, leaders and members of the House of Assembly, local government chairmen and councillors in the state, and teeming leaders and members of the PDP.
“Our great party welcomes this important development and assures the governor and incoming leaders and members of Delta PDP of our fullest cooperation and accommodation in the APC family.
“With this move, coming on the heels of steady defection of PDP leaders and members across the state to APC, including members of Delta Unity Group in Ika federal constituency, we are delighted that Delta, now an APC state, stands poised to contribute maximally to the success and realisation of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and to the enduring good and prosperity of Deltans and all Nigerians.”
Also, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, commended Okowa for supporting President Tinubu.
He said: “It is another endorsement of the President’s good governance and commitment to the development of the country.”
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, Wike called on other Nigerians who are still sitting on the fence to throw in their support for the President.
The minister described the open endorsement of the President by Okowa as “a vindication of the position I took in 2023, which was based on the interest of a united Nigeria.”
“I commend Dr Okowa and Governor Oborevwori for this heart-warming decision, which must have been informed by good governance and commitment of President Bola Tinubu to the oneness and development of Nigeria.
“That is what I have always told people to come out and say, not when they have problems and begin to run up and down.
“They have come out at the right time to show support for the President so that the people of Niger Delta can benefit more from the government, and I commend them.
“I am particularly happy that what I saw before the 2023 presidential election, others are now seeing and are joining the Renewed Hope train,” the minister said.
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma described Oborevwori’s defection as a major development.
Uzodinma, Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), spoke after a meeting of the forum.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Uzodimma said: “When a governor joins our party, we view it as a significant event and a moment to commend ourselves and thank Almighty God.
“That’s exactly our sentiment. The Progressive Governors resolved to celebrate this development and extend congratulations to one another.”
He noted that governors not originally elected on the APC platform now recognise President Tinubu’s efforts and are aligning with the party for a united Nigeria.
“The APC treats sub-national governance with great importance.
“So, a governor defecting to our party is a heavy development in our political journey,” he said.
Uzodinma said the governors discussed the welfare of the APC and current national issues during their meeting.
They pledged continued support for President Tinubu’s policies and vowed to strengthen the ruling party.
He stated that the Progressive Governors would promote President Tinubu’s achievements so that Nigerians could fully appreciate the administration’s progress.
“We’ll counter blackmail and propaganda aimed at tarnishing the government’s image.
“We, as Progressive Governors, firmly support President Tinubu and the APC government.
“We are pleased with the progress. Despite challenges, the reform policies are beginning to yield visible results.
“We pray God grants the President wisdom, courage and strength to deliver greater dividends of democracy for Nigerians,” Uzodinma said.
