Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), ending weeks of speculation about his political allegiance.
Also joining the PDP is his predecessor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, who was running mate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 presidential election.
The announcement was made on Wednesday in Asaba by Senator James Manager, who addressed journalists following a PDP stakeholders’ meeting held at Government House.
He disclosed that a formal declaration ceremony is scheduled for Monday.
Manager described the defection as a strategic move aimed at ensuring the continued growth and development of Delta State.
He further revealed that the entire PDP structure in the state had been collapsed into the APC.
“With this development, Delta is now an APC state,” he said.
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The announcement was made in the presence of Governor Oborevwori, his predecessor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, and other top PDP leaders, signalling a significant political shift in the state.
The Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr Aniagwu Charles, officially confirmed Governor Oborevwori’s defection to the APC, along with a collective move by top Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders and stakeholders in the state.
Speaking at a press briefing in Asaba, Aniagwu explained that the decision was driven by the need to reposition the state for sustained development, security, and the welfare of its citizens.
“There comes a time when we must reassess our course,” Aniagwu said. “To ensure that Delta’s progress is not derailed, we needed to make a bold decision that allows for broader collaboration and renewed focus on building a state every Deltan can be proud of.”
He added that remaining in the PDP would have hindered the administration’s development goals due to what he described as the party’s dwindling internal cohesion.
“Staying in the PDP felt like drinking palm wine that has lost its flavour. It became necessary to change the drinking party to preserve the taste of progress,” he remarked metaphorically.
Aniagwu reiterated that the defection was not for personal gain but a strategic realignment aimed at securing the state’s future.
He assured Deltans that the move would accelerate ongoing reforms and unlock new opportunities through strengthened cooperation with the federal government
