Political Earthquake in Delta: Entire PDP Delegation in State House Assembly Defects to APC

A major political upheaval unfolded on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, as all members of the House of Representatives from Delta State officially renounced their affiliation with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), crossing over to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The historic wave of defections was formally announced during plenary by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, marking a significant realignment in the nation's political landscape and signaling deeper turmoil within the ranks of the PDP.

Each lawmaker submitted a separate letter detailing the reasons behind their dramatic move. A common thread running through their justifications was the persistent leadership dysfunction within the PDP, both at the zonal and national levels. The representatives expressed deep dissatisfaction with what they described as an unresolved internal crisis that had crippled the party's effectiveness and eroded their confidence in its future.

Voices in the chamber fell silent as the Speaker read out the letters one after another. The mood was somber but charged with anticipation. For a state that has traditionally been a PDP stronghold since the return to democracy in 1999, the mass exodus was nothing short of stunning. This wasn’t just one or two dissenters breaking ranks — it was an entire contingent defecting in unison.

Behind the scenes, the development had reportedly been in motion for months. Sources close to several of the lawmakers revealed that frustrations had been simmering over what they viewed as a lack of strategic direction, poor conflict resolution, and factional battles that had become increasingly toxic within the PDP hierarchy. With the 2027 general elections looming on the horizon, many of these politicians were believed to have grown wary of clinging to a faltering ship.

Delta State’s political terrain has long been one of the most dynamic and fiercely contested in the country. Historically, the PDP had maintained a firm grip on the state, producing several governors, senators, and federal representatives. That dominance is now being sharply challenged. The defection to the APC represents not only a loss of numerical strength for the PDP but also a blow to its credibility and influence in the South-South region.

Political analysts have described the move as a major coup for the APC, which has been steadily working to penetrate the southern political belt. Gaining an entire bloc of federal lawmakers from a single state is rare and presents the APC with a strategic advantage ahead of future political contests. It may also have ripple effects on local and state elections, where political alignment with national parties can significantly sway voter sentiment.

The representatives, speaking later through joint press statements, emphasized that their decision was not taken lightly. They pointed to months of engagement with stakeholders in their constituencies, who, according to them, urged them to embrace a platform that promised greater unity, discipline, and responsiveness to grassroots concerns.

"Leadership vacuum, incessant infighting, and a failure to chart a progressive roadmap have made it impossible to continue under the PDP banner," one of the lawmakers noted, requesting anonymity. “We were elected to serve our people, not to waste time resolving endless conflicts manufactured by selfish political interests.”

This mass defection also reignites conversations about the stability of Nigeria’s two major political parties. The PDP, which once enjoyed the status of Africa’s largest political party, now faces increasing fragmentation. Several prominent politicians have either resigned or switched allegiances over the past two years, citing similar grievances about leadership and transparency.

Observers believe the PDP must now move swiftly to undertake genuine reconciliation efforts if it is to prevent further hemorrhaging of its ranks. Already, murmurs of discontent are surfacing in other states, and Tuesday’s development may inspire similar moves elsewhere if the party fails to address its internal disarray.

For the APC, the influx of new lawmakers presents both opportunities and challenges. While the party will undoubtedly tout the defections as evidence of its growing appeal and organizational strength, it must also manage the integration of former rivals into its structure. Unity, after all, cannot be taken for granted merely because of shared political interest.

The political balance in the National Assembly may also shift, albeit slightly, depending on the committees and voting blocks these new APC members join. Such changes could influence the passage of key legislation, budget deliberations, and the broader dynamics of federal governance.

Beyond the legislative arena, constituents in Delta State will be watching closely. While some may applaud their representatives for taking what they view as a pragmatic decision, others could see the move as opportunistic. The lawmakers’ ability to justify their shift through tangible results on the ground may ultimately determine their political survival.

As the nation digests the implications of this seismic event, one thing is clear: the road to 2027 just got more unpredictable, and the political narrative in Delta — and by extension Nigeria — has entered a new chapter.

Will the PDP recover and reclaim its footing, or is this the beginning of a broader shift in the country’s partisan allegiance? Only time — and perhaps the will of the electorate — will tell.