More Governors Will Join APC, Ganduje Boasts as Delta PDP Defects En Masse
Historic Defection Shakes Up South-South Politics
Vice President Kashim Shettima on Monday officially welcomed Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, former governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and the entire Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) structure in Delta State to the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Cenotaph in Asaba.
Political Earthquake in Delta
The mass defection, which had been long speculated, marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s political landscape. The move includes Delta’s Deputy Governor Monday Onyeme, state commissioners, local government chairmen, and the party’s grassroots machinery – all crossing to the APC en bloc.
This development leaves the PDP with only two governors in the South-South region (Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa), while the APC now controls Edo, Cross River, and Delta states. The political future of suspended Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara remains uncertain.
Shettima Hails “Tsunami of Highest Propulsion”
Vice President Shettima described the defection as historic, stating: “This is a tsunami of the highest propulsion as all members of the Upper Chamber are in the APC; the governor and his entire cabinet, legislators, local government council chairmen and other stakeholders in the party.”
He emphasized that the new members were joining as co-owners rather than guests, affirming Governor Oborevwori’s position as the APC leader in Delta State.
Governor Oborevwori Explains Move
Governor Oborevwori justified the mass defection, lamenting that Delta had been in opposition for nearly a decade. “What you have seen here today is a movement, not a defection,” he declared. “President Bola Tinubu has shown us love in Delta, so we want to replicate the love. We cannot show love from outside, so we must be inside to show love.”
The governor dismissed factional divisions within Delta APC, asserting his leadership position and calling on other governors to join the movement.
Ganduje Predicts More Defections
APC National Chairman Umar Ganduje boasted that more governors would soon join the ruling party, raising the current count to 22 states. “Keep your ears and eyes open — more governors will soon join us,” Ganduje stated while presenting the APC flag to Oborevwori.
Okowa Cites Need for Federal Connection
Former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, the PDP’s 2023 vice presidential candidate, explained the defection as necessary to access federal resources. “There is a need for us to connect to Abuja, that goodwill that is in Abuja, that resource that is in Abuja of which Delta is a large contributor,” Okowa stated.
He described the move as “bold, patriotic, and well-intentioned,” emphasizing it was in Delta State’s best interest.
Cross River Governor Hails Development
Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu, represented by his Chief Press Secretary Nsa Gill, described the defections as evidence of President Tinubu’s performance rather than political maneuvering.
“An increasing number of South-South states under APC governance is a dream realized,” Otu stated, noting the region’s strengthened political alignment.
Full credit to the original publisher: The Citizen