Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has finally dumped the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Oborevwori took the decision alongside his mentor and immediate past governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, and all the PDP members in the state executive council decamped to the APC.
After much pressure, Oborevwori announced his resignation from the ruling PDP in the state to pick up the broom – APC, a move that put paid to a series of denials over the long-awaited defection to secure his second term ticket in the 2027 gubernatorial race.
Senator James Manager announced the defection of the governor and other party loyalists shortly after an enlarged stakeholders’ meeting on Wednesday, which lasted over six hours, at Government House, Asaba, the state capital.
Announcing the defection, James Manager said, “The full PDP members in the state, including the governor, former governor Okowa, Speaker, the state party Chairman, all the Local Government Chairmen and others have agreed to move to APC.”
Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural) and Public Communications, Charles Aniagwu, stated that the decision to defect was reached by the party’s leaders and stakeholders, emphasising the importance of this move for the overall development of the state.
He emphasised that the change was due to “the state of politics in the PDP”, pointing out that the decision was reached collectively, rather than being an individual choice.
One of the party faithful said the governor has assured of running an open door policy to accommodate both “old and new” APC members, noting that there is a move for the dissolution of the cabinet soon for new appointments.
“In a few days’ time, the governor will also be dissolving his cabinet to accommodate other APC members,” Aniagwu said.
“The arrangement will be a 60/40 thing. The APC will take 40 while the PDP will take 60 in the new cabinet to be formed in the shortest possible time. As we move on, other things and plans will be unveiled. The 60/40 will also be applied in the structure of the state party.”