By IN a sweeping political realignment that has sent shockwaves across Delta State and beyond, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, alongside other key stakeholders, has officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and declared allegiance to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement was made following a high-level meeting with leaders and stakeholders of the PDP at Government House, Asaba, on Wednesday. At the gathering, Senator James Manager, the pioneer chairman of the PDP in Delta State, disclosed that the move followed extensive consultations with political actors across the state.
“You’ve just been briefed on some of the developments within the PDP in Delta State,” Manager began. “These consultations have been ongoing for some time and today marks their culmination. We have held discussions, disagreed to agree, and arrived at a unanimous resolution.”
As a foundational figure in the PDP, Manager drew a vivid metaphor: “You cannot remain in a boat that is clearly sinking—especially if you are a riverine man like me. Upon assessing the situation critically, we’ve come to the inevitable conclusion that a new course of action is required. This decision is collective and rooted in numerous considerations.”
Citing recent events, he referred to a resolution by the PDP Governors’ Forum in Ibadan, where it was decided that the party would not enter into a coalition with any other party ahead of future elections.
“Given that the PDP now controls only about 11 states, how does it plan to contest against an incumbent president and expect to win? That decision has disheartened many party members,” he noted.
Manager recalled how the PDP had previously lost the 2015 general elections due to a merger involving splinter factions from the party. He also criticised the unstable leadership structure at the national level. “One day it’s Senator Anyanwu as National Secretary, the next it’s someone else. A party cannot prepare for electoral victory amidst such instability.”
He highlighted the significance of the meeting, stating that it included the PDP State Chairman, Governor Oborevwori, Deputy Governor Sir Monday Onyeme, immediate past Governor and former Vice Presidential candidate Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, members of both the National and State Assemblies, Commissioners, and other top government officials. “The ‘who’s who’ of Delta State politics were in the room when this decision was made,” he asserted.
Adding his voice, the State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, said the defection was the result of unfortunate developments at the national level of the PDP.
“For a while now, there’s been widespread speculation—especially on social media—about the political direction we intend to take in Delta.
“Behind the scenes, the governor and party leaders have been consulting intensively, and today’s meeting is the outcome of those efforts.”
Aniagwu employed a proverb to characterise the shift: “When the taste of palm wine changes, the drinking pattern must also change.
“Our leaders unanimously recognised that the political climate has changed, and it demands a corresponding response.”
He emphasised the need to maintain development, social harmony, and security in the state. “Every politics is local. This decision was taken with the aim of fostering greater collaboration with our kith and kin, preserving the unity we cherish, and sustaining the progress we’ve made.”
He reiterated that the situation at the PDP’s national level had deteriorated to an untenable point. “It’s like that palm wine whose taste has soured, prompting us to take this necessary step. By God’s grace, come Monday, we shall make a bold public declaration of our move to the APC.”
Delta State Governor
With Governor Oborevwori now donning APC colours, the political calculus of the South-South has shifted. This realignment is expected to significantly strengthen President Bola Tinubu’s re-election prospects, with Delta State potentially contributing over 1.4 million votes to the APC’s tally.
At the conclusion of the meeting, all attendees—including the Deputy Governor, the immediate past Governor, members of the National and State Assemblies, Commissioners, Local Government Chairmen, senior officials, and party members—resolved to follow Governor Oborevwori into the APC.
They are scheduled to be formally received at a rally by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Cenotaph in Asaba on Monday.
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