By Francis Sadhere, Warri
In a sweeping political realignment that has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political landscape, Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, along with key stakeholders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have officially defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defection was formally announced on Wednesday during a high-level meeting at Government House, Asaba, where leaders of the PDP gathered to discuss the state of the party and chart a new political course. The meeting was attended by top political figures including the Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, immediate past Governor and former PDP Vice Presidential candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, National Assembly members, the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, commissioners, council chairmen, and other senior party officials.
Speaking at the event, pioneer state chairman of the PDP and former senator, James Manager, said the decision to leave the PDP was made after extensive consultations across the state.
“You cannot be in a boat that is already capsizing,” Manager declared. “We have come to the inevitable conclusion to do something else. This is a collective decision taken for many reasons, one of which is the troubling national outlook of the PDP.”
Manager cited the recent resolution by the PDP Governors’ Forum in Ibadan, where a decision was made against forming coalitions with other parties. He said this stance had further weakened the PDP’s already disadvantaged position ahead of the next general elections.
“The PDP is truly in trouble,” he stated. “The inability to adapt, the inconsistency in national leadership, and the political reality of facing an incumbent president without a clear path to victory all contributed to our decision.”
Corroborating this, the State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, likened the PDP’s national struggles to “a palm wine whose taste has changed.”
“As the political temperature has shifted, so too must our strategy,” Aniagwu said. “The leaders were unanimous that a change is necessary—not just for political survival, but to cement the development, peace, and unity Delta State has enjoyed.”
The group also announced that they would be formally received into the APC by Vice President Kashim Shettima at a rally scheduled for Monday at the Cenotaph in Asaba.
With Governor Oborevwori now aligning with the APC, the South-South political map is poised for a major shakeup. The move could significantly boost President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election strategy, potentially adding over 1.4 million Delta votes to the APC’s base.
This mass defection is one of the most significant political events in recent Nigerian history and marks a dramatic shift in Delta’s political allegiance, historically a stronghold of the PDP. The development is expected to reshape both state and national politics in the months ahead.
In a sweeping political realignment that has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political landscape, Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, along with key stakeholders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have officially defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defection was formally announced on Wednesday during a high-level meeting at Government House, Asaba, where leaders of the PDP gathered to discuss the state of the party and chart a new political course. The meeting was attended by top political figures including the Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, immediate past Governor and former PDP Vice Presidential candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, National Assembly members, the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, commissioners, council chairmen, and other senior party officials.
Speaking at the event, pioneer state chairman of the PDP and former senator, James Manager, said the decision to leave the PDP was made after extensive consultations across the state.
“You cannot be in a boat that is already capsizing,” Manager declared. “We have come to the inevitable conclusion to do something else. This is a collective decision taken for many reasons, one of which is the troubling national outlook of the PDP.”
Manager cited the recent resolution by the PDP Governors’ Forum in Ibadan, where a decision was made against forming coalitions with other parties. He said this stance had further weakened the PDP’s already disadvantaged position ahead of the next general elections.
“The PDP is truly in trouble,” he stated. “The inability to adapt, the inconsistency in national leadership, and the political reality of facing an incumbent president without a clear path to victory all contributed to our decision.”
Corroborating this, the State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, likened the PDP’s national struggles to “a palm wine whose taste has changed.”
“As the political temperature has shifted, so too must our strategy,” Aniagwu said. “The leaders were unanimous that a change is necessary—not just for political survival, but to cement the development, peace, and unity Delta State has enjoyed.”
The group also announced that they would be formally received into the APC by Vice President Kashim Shettima at a rally scheduled for Monday at the Cenotaph in Asaba.
With Governor Oborevwori now aligning with the APC, the South-South political map is poised for a major shakeup. The move could significantly boost President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election strategy, potentially adding over 1.4 million Delta votes to the APC’s base.
This mass defection is one of the most significant political events in recent Nigerian history and marks a dramatic shift in Delta’s political allegiance, historically a stronghold of the PDP. The development is expected to reshape both state and national politics in the months ahead.
