PDP Exodus: Delta Governor, Top Lawmakers Defect to APC Amid Nationwide Realignments

 

Political Earthquake Reshapes Delta and Beyond as PDP Loses Stronghold

For the first time in over two decades, the political climate in Delta State witnessed a seismic shift as Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, alongside his cabinet, key legislators, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership in the state, officially decamped to the All Progressives Congress (APC). This dramatic political defection marks the end of PDP’s 26-year rule in the state and sets the stage for what observers are calling a realignment of Nigeria’s political structure.

During a high-profile stakeholders meeting held at the Government House in Asaba on Wednesday, Governor Oborevwori announced his decision to leave the PDP. The gathering included the state’s deputy governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, immediate past governor and former PDP vice-presidential candidate Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, all members of the National Assembly from the state, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Honourable Emomotimi Guwor, local government chairmen, commissioners, and other senior party figures.

Governor Oborevwori, addressing the gathering, attributed the mass exodus to the unfolding situation within the national leadership of the PDP, calling the decision both “unavoidable” and “timely.” He called upon all party loyalists within the state to join the APC, which he described as better positioned to secure the state’s development interests and political future.

The significance of the defection was underscored by the planned grand reception scheduled for Monday, where Vice President Kashim Shettima is expected to formally receive the Delta PDP family into the APC fold at the Cenotaph in Asaba.

Reactions to this sweeping shift have poured in from political leaders and stakeholders nationwide. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Chief Festus Keyamo, hailed the move as historic. Taking to his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Keyamo celebrated the governor’s “foresight and courage,” declaring, “Today is the day the Lord has made in Delta State. Finally, finally Delta is APC!”

Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, provided additional context, explaining that the decision followed prolonged consultations across multiple tiers of leadership. He likened the PDP’s current trajectory to a "palm wine whose taste has changed," necessitating a new drinking pattern — in this case, political alignment.

Adding a metaphorical weight to the announcement, Senator James Manager, the pioneer state chairman of the PDP, noted that “you cannot be in a boat that is already capsizing, especially when you are a riverine man.” He pointed out that PDP’s refusal to pursue strategic coalitions—like in previous winning elections—had left many within the party disillusioned and politically orphaned.

Delta State APC leaders, for their part, have welcomed the new defectors. The party’s publicity secretary, Mr. Valentine Onojeghuo, described the defection as a "game-changing" moment in the state's political history. He emphasized the APC's commitment to supporting Governor Oborevwori in delivering democratic dividends, while aiming to secure victory for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

Beyond Delta State, a broader wave of political repositioning is sweeping across Nigeria. In Osun State, Honourable Oluwole Oke, a six-term member of the House of Representatives, tendered his resignation from the PDP, signaling another blow to the party's standing in the southwest. While Oke has not yet declared his next political home, his departure follows extensive consultations with associates and constituents. He has, however, urged his supporters to remain calm as he continues discussions on his political future.

At the federal level, Senator Sumaila Kawu representing Kano South also jumped ship from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the APC. In a statement confirming his defection, Kawu emphasized the importance of aligning with a party that could better serve the interests of his constituents. The senator, who chairs the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), was joined in his move by two members of the House of Representatives from Kano, Honourables Aliyu Sani Madaki and Kabiru Usman Rurum.

Kawu’s public declaration was also backed by a meeting with APC national chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, underscoring the strategic depth of the move. Reflecting on his decision via Facebook, Kawu stated, “All politics is local, and my primary concern has always been, and remains, the welfare of my immediate constituency.”

Back in the South-South, strong indications have emerged that Senator Nelda Imasuen of the Labour Party (LP), representing Edo South, may soon follow suit. Though Imasuen has not officially defected, insiders say the pressure on him to join the APC has intensified amid growing crises within the LP at both state and federal levels.

A close associate of the senator revealed that the APC has been courting Imasuen, capitalizing on the leadership vacuum in the LP. The senator’s prior working relationship with Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, a former senator himself, has further fueled speculations of an imminent switch. The governor’s adviser on political mobilization, Eugene Utubor, reportedly held a late-night meeting with Imasuen to persuade him to align with the APC’s governance agenda.

These realignments suggest a deeper transformation in Nigeria’s political landscape, with the ruling APC seemingly absorbing former opposition strongholds and positioning itself as the dominant political force ahead of the 2027 elections.

The PDP, once Africa’s largest political party, now faces significant challenges. Its loss of grip on Delta, internal disagreements, and failure to form strategic coalitions could continue to chip away at its national relevance unless sweeping reforms are undertaken.

As Nigeria’s political landscape continues to shift, it is becoming increasingly evident that the coming years will be defined not just by elections, but by strategic realignments, party reinventions, and the shifting allegiances of key political stakeholders. The movements of influential figures such as Governor Oborevwori, Senator Kawu, Honourable Oke, and potentially Senator Imasuen are signals of broader changes sweeping through Nigeria’s corridors of power.