Asaba, Delta State — April 23, 2025
In a shocking political twist that has left many residents and political observers stunned, the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has officially announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The governor made this declaration during a special press briefing held yesterday at Government House, Asaba.
Governor Oborevwori was not alone in this surprise move. Reports confirm that nearly all members of his cabinet—including commissioners, advisers, and aides—have also joined him in the defection to the APC.
What further deepened the political shake-up was the presence and full support of former Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, who also announced his own decamping from the PDP to the APC. Okowa, who served as governor between 2015 and 2023 and was a vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, said the decision was made in the “best interest of Delta State’s political and developmental future.”
Governor’s Statement
Speaking at the press briefing, Governor Oborevwori explained his reasons for leaving the PDP, a party he had belonged to for decades.
> “This decision did not come lightly. After careful consultations and reflections on the direction we want for Delta State, I have chosen to align with a platform that better positions us to deliver the dividends of democracy to our people,” the governor said.
He added that recent developments within the PDP both at the state and national levels had made it difficult to continue pursuing progressive policies.
Reactions from PDP
The defection has thrown the PDP into disarray, especially in Delta State where the party has been in control for over two decades. Local party offices in some parts of the state were reportedly shut down temporarily due to the confusion. Grassroots supporters have expressed frustration and concern over the mass defection, which they say was sudden and without prior warning.
Some PDP stalwarts who chose to remain have described the move as a “betrayal of trust,” while others have called for immediate restructuring of the party at all levels to regain stability and prepare for future elections.
APC Celebrates Major Political Win
The APC, on the other hand, has celebrated the governor’s move as a major victory, welcoming Oborevwori and Okowa into its fold with open arms. National APC officials, including party chairman Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, have hailed the move as proof of the growing strength of the APC in the South-South region.
> “Delta State is now in safe hands. With Governor Oborevwori and former Governor Okowa in the APC, we are confident that more states will follow suit. The APC is the future,” Ganduje declared.
What Next?
Political analysts say the defection could significantly shift the balance of power in Delta State and even influence upcoming local government and national elections. It also raises questions about the future of the PDP in the South-South, a region that had traditionally been its stronghold.
For now, the people of Delta State watch closely as their political landscape undergoes one of its most dramatic changes in recent history.
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