Mathew Amaechi
In a move that is set to reshape the political landscape in Delta State, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and current Governor Sheriff Oborevwori officially defected from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) to the All-Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking at a high-profile ceremony held at the Cenotaph in Asaba on Monday, Okowa articulated that the decision was made with the best interests of Delta State and its people at its core.
Okowa explained, “People wondered why, but one thing is very important: in the history of a people there is always a time to change their path for the common good of the people, and whatever decision we took was based on that common good and the need to change our path in the best interest of our state.” The former governor stressed that the real motive behind this transition was not personal gain but a strategic recalibration aimed at securing enhanced connections with the federal government.
“It was not about me; it was not about the governor, but about the fact that there is a need for us to connect to Abuja. That goodwill that is in Abuja, that resource that is in Abuja, of which Delta State is a large contributor — there was a need to connect to it,” he said. Okowa continued, reflecting on his eight-year tenure as governor, noting the challenges experienced while in the opposition and emphasizing that despite every effort, the support necessary to leverage the state’s contributions to national development was insufficient under the previous alignment.
During the ceremony, Okowa described the move as “bold, strategic, patriotic, and well-intentioned.” He highlighted that the defection was not merely a shift in allegiance but a calculated step intended to empower Delta State by forging stronger ties with the center of power in Abuja. “We are very supportive of Governor Sheriff because he’s doing a lot, but as the governor is doing a lot for us, he also needs to connect to the greater source of power, resources, and goodwill in Abuja. When we sat down after stakeholders’ meetings, we thought it was necessary to make this move,” Okowa added.
The ceremony, attended by a slew of APC dignitaries and party members, emphasized unity as one of the pillars of the new political direction. Okowa urged all party members—both longstanding APC affiliates and the newly defected PDP members—to stand together with “oneness of heart” in support of the President and Governor. “We must defend our state. Our state stands far beyond us, and I believe that this decision is in the best interest of all. It is time for us to embrace each other—our brothers and sisters who were already in the APC and those of us that have come into the family,” he declared.
Observers note that the transition reflects a broader strategy to align Delta State with the federal government’s agenda, potentially unlocking access to critical resources and support for ongoing and future state projects. The backing of both former and current governors signals a decisive move that could recalibrate not only the internal dynamics within Delta State politics but also its relationship with the national leadership.
The announcement of the defection was made last week by Okowa, Oborevwori, and other PDP members in Delta State, marking a historic pivot for the region’s political trajectory. As the APC consolidates its new base in Delta, the coming months will be critical in determining whether this political realignment delivers on its promise of enhanced support and improved developmental outcomes for the state.
