RECENTLY, there was a monumental realignment in the political firmament of Delta State where the entire structures of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the unit, ward, local, senatorial and the state levels collapsed into the All Progressives Congress (APC), following the massive movement of members of the former political party in the state into the latter party.
The inkling of what was to come as far as the political shift in the state was concerned and which indeed, unfolded later at the Cenotaph in Asaba on Monday, April 28, this year, was given by a five-time member of the Nigerian Senate and the pioneer Chairman of the Delta State Chapter of the PDP, Sen James Manager and the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu after a well-attended stakeholders’ meeting held at the Government House, Asaba.
Briefing journalists shortly after the stakeholders meeting, Sen Manager said the Deputy Governor, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, House of Assembly members, commissioners and other appointees as well as Board of Trustee members of the party (PDP), were moving with the Governor to the APC, adding that the defection of members of the party was a unanimous decision for the general good of the state.
He disclosed that the decision was a fallout of a consultation following the myriads of challenges plaguing the PDP from 2023 till date, emphasising that Delta cannot afford to remain in opposition in the nation’s political evolution. He said the decision of the PDP Governors Forum in their meeting held in Ibadan, not to go into coalition with other political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections, nailed the party’s coffin, and frowned at the unending legal tussle that has turned the party into a shadow of itself.
Also briefing journalists after the meeting, Mr Charles Aniagwu said the unanimous decision would help to build a viable and progressive Delta State, saying “for some time now the media, particularly the social media have been awash as to what political decisions that we are going to be taking in Delta.
“While that was on, the governor and the leaders of the party have been very busy carrying out some necessary consultations. And it is also part of that consultation that has resulted in this meeting today (Wednesday, April, 23). For the leaders of the PDP to advise as to what necessary steps that needed to be taken.
“It is said that when the taste of the palm wine changes, the drinking pattern also changes. The leaders of the party were unanimous in their view that the political temperature had changed and there was a need for change that would help cement the development in our state; build the bond of love that has existed in our state and to further advance the security and welfare of our people.”
Monday, April 28, 2025, was indeed, a historic day in the annals of Delta State politics as it was a day that the nearly 26-year rule of the PDP in the state came to an end as Governor Sheriff Oborevwori; his deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme; former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and other leaders of the PDP in the state bade farewell to the party, following their unprecedented and massive movement into the APC.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Bola Tinubu described the realignment of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a political tsunami of unimaginable proportions.
President Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, lauded Governor Oborevwori and his predecessor, Sen (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa for the cordial relationship between them and for leading members of the PDP to the APC, saying “what can be greater than the promise of this day. This is a political tsunami of unimaginable proportions that has never happened in the history of the South-South region and barely in the history of this country.
“A political tsunami of this proportion has never happened where all the members of the upper chamber of the National Assembly are in the APC. The Speaker and all the members of the House of Assembly; so many members of the House of Representatives, the Governor and his entire cabinet and 500 councillors across the 25 local government areas of this great state are now in the APC. What testimony do you have greater than this?
“The true measure of a political party lies not merely in the industry, the very name of its members, but in the conviction. It is in fact among those who once stood across from them. This vindication is even more fundamental. When those who once saw us as outsiders and opponents, crossed the lines of difference to become part of the enduring family we have built.
“This historic day, therefore, is both a celebration of the enduring promise of the APC and a tribute to the vision, courage, and foresight of the great giants we have come to welcome into the hall of fame of our political party, along with their devoted followers who are joining us today (Monday).
“I want to pay special tribute to Sen Ifeanyi Okowa for the wonderful relationship that exists between him and his successor. Sen Okowa, you are indeed a great leader. Governor Oborevwori, for embracing him (Okowa), for treating him with respect and decorum, you are even a greater leader,” the President added.
Continuing, Tinubu said “We are here with our unshaken belief in the power of collaboration, the understanding that we are stronger together than we can ever be apart. What sets the APC apart is not an illusion of uniformity, it is our acceptance that differences are inevitable and that greatness lies in managing them.
“Our tables have always been tables of dialogue, places where every member, no matter how big or small, is welcome to air their grievances. Your Excellency(s), Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and the other great men and women, we welcome you to the APC today.
“Now that you have come, we are all co-owners because, according to the Constitution of the party, the Governor of the party is the leader of the party in the state. This is now as much your party as it is ours. You have brought to us, a wealth of experience, a breath of wisdom and a measure of strength for which we shall always remain grateful’’ he said.
Responding, Governor Oborevwori described the defection as a historic movement in the best interest of the state, even as he pledged to unify the APC to ensure total victory for the party in future elections.
“What you have seen here today is a movement; it is not a defection. We have done consultations with the National Assembly, with leadership, with stakeholders at the state level, the senatorial level, the local government level, at the ward level and we all decided that we must all join (the APC).
“This is Delta State, we cannot take last; when we stand for something, we remain committed to it. We have been in opposition for almost 10 years. Do we need that? No! Mr President has supported us, he has shown us love. We cannot face him in 2027 to work against him. That love that he has shown to us in Delta State, we need to reciprocate it.
“This is a movement, this is not defection we have agreed we will move together and when we move together, what is in the national, we will be able to grab it. Our members in the National Assembly are the next, they have all agreed they will defect on the floor of the House. We have justification to move. All of us want to be in the Renewed Hope Agenda which is in line with my MORE Agenda,” Governor Oborevwori said.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, applauded the cordial relationship between the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and his predecessor, Sen Ifeanyi Okowa.
Ganduje said the National Working Committee of the party was highly impressed because of the cordial relationship existing between the predecessor and successor which, according to him, is very difficult see in the country. While presenting the party’s flag and broom to Governor Oborevwori, he charged him to sustain the progressive development governance in line with the Renewed Hope agenda.
“So, we have to thank Dr Okowa for that good relationship. Ladies and gentlemen, my job is very important which is accepting, welcoming and also, embracing the Governor and the people of Delta State into our great party, the APC.
“Mr. Governor, what l would like to tell you while accepting you into our party, is that our core value in APC is progressive leadership and coincidently, from what we have seen on the ground in respect of your programmes and your projects, you are a progressive governor.
“So, we are welcoming you for coming home. We believe in progressive ideas, we believe in proximity, interacting with different levels of our party; we believe in openness, we believe in internal democracy, we believe in self accountability and we thank you for coming in,” Ganduje said.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum and Governor of Imo State, Sen Hope Uzodinma said the ceremony was quite historic and special in the history of the APC as a political party in Nigeria. Sen Uzodinma who disclosed that members of the APC were happy with the new political development in Delta State, said that the party means well for Nigerians.
On his part, the immediate past Governor of the State, Sen Ifeanyi Okowa explained that the decision to change political direction was made for the common good and in the best interest of the state, saying “It was not about personal ambitions but the need to connect to Abuja, where significant goodwill and resources exist, especially since the state (Delta) is a major contributor.”
