Victor EzejaDelta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and his predecessor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
This was announced after a closed-door meeting at the Government House in Asaba on Wednesday.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelSpeaking on the defection, former Senator for Delta South and pioneer PDP Chairman in the state, Senator James Manager, said the move had become imperative given the lingering crisis rocking the PDP.
Senator Manager said the governor’s defection to the ruling party was in the interest of the overall development of Delta State.
“I have been with the PDP from the very beginning, so this is a very emotional moment for me. But when a ship is sinking, you don’t stay onboard out of sentiment, Manager stated.
“We had extensive consultations, and today marks the climax of those discussions. What we have now is a collective and unanimous decision to chart a new course.”
According to Senator Manager, the entire PDP structure in the state has been fused into the APC.
“All PDP members in the state, including the governor, former Governor Okowa, the Speaker, the state party chairman, all the local government chairmen and others, have agreed to move to the APC,” he stated.
Also speaking to newsmen on the political development, Delta State Commissioner for Works and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, stated that the decision to leave the PDP was born out of the necessity to identify with a political platform that would better serve the development goals of the state and the interests of Deltans.
“This move is aimed at ensuring that Delta State continues on the path of development, security, and progress. Remaining in the PDP, given the current circumstances, would only truncate that journey,” Mr Aniagwu stated.
READ ALSO: PDP’s Sheriff Defeats Omo-Agege In Delta Guber Race
Also present at the meeting were Delta State Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, members of the National and State Assemblies, commissioners, local government chairmen, and other party officials and stakeholders.
Keyamo Hails Governor Oborevwori’s Defection To APC
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has hailed the bold decision of Governor Oborevwori and his predecessor, Okowa, to join the ruling APC.
READ ALSO: ‘Freedom Converge’: Why We’re Mobilising 7.2 Million People To Abuja – Utomi
Keyamo, who hails from Delta State, expressed his excitement that the South-South state is now controlled by the APC.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu, saying his leadership has attracted the best to the party.
“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,” Keyamo wrote on his X handle on Wednesday.
With this development, Oborevwori becomes the first opposition governor to join the APC in President Tinubu’s administration.
The question in the lips of people is will other opposition governors followed suit? If so, who is next?
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
