Ahead of the 2027 elections, the Governor of Delta State, Mr. Sheriff Oborevwori, the immediate past governor, Mr. Ifeanyi Okowa, and other members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state have decamped to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Recall that Okowa was the running mate to the PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in the 2023 election.
Thelensng reports that Delta State has been governed by the PDP since the return to democracy in 1999.
Senator James Manager disclosed the defection on Wednesday following a meeting at the Government House in the state capital, Asaba.
“All PDP members in the state, including the governor, former Governor Okowa, the Speaker, the state party chairman, all the local government chairmen and others, have agreed to move to the APC. We cannot continue to be in a sinking boat,” Manager said.
The Commissioner for Information in Delta State, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, confirmed the defection across board saying, “There is a need for us to adjust our drinking patterns. And in adjusting that drinking pattern, we needed to make a decision that would further help to cement the development in our state, to build the court of law that has existed in our state, to further advance the cause of security and the welfare of our people, and, to a large extent, ensure that development in Delta is not truncated.”
Aniagwu further stated: “In taking that decision, we concluded that leaving the PDP was very necessary for us to be able to collaborate and build a state that every Deltan will be proud of. We believe that’s what is happening, and the state of the PDP, is akin to that palm wine whose taste has changed — and there was a need for us to change the drinking party.”
The Commissioner mentioned that it was a collective decision of party leaders and stakeholders, noting that a public declaration will be made soon.
“By the grace of God, on Monday next week, we will be able to make a very big statement confirming that we are moving to the APC,” he added.
