Why We Defected To APC — Oborevwori, Okowa Explain

In a landmark political realignment, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his predecessor Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, and several high-profile members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State have officially joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The mass defection was announced after a high-level stakeholders meeting held at Government House, Asaba, on Wednesday.

Speaking to the press after the meeting, Charles Aniagwu, Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, explained that the decision to leave the PDP was based on strategic development goals for the state.

“Our Governor and leaders have been carrying out wide consultations… The political temperature has changed — the taste of the palm wine, so to speak, has changed — and we must adjust our drinking pattern accordingly,” Aniagwu stated.

He emphasized that remaining in the PDP under current circumstances would derail Delta’s journey toward continued development, security, and prosperity.

Former Senator and pioneer PDP Chairman in Delta, James Manager, described the decision as emotional but necessary.“When a ship is sinking, you don’t stay onboard out of sentiment,” he said. “What we have now is a collective and unanimous decision to chart a new course.”

The stakeholders cited internal challenges within the PDP and the need for a political platform aligned with state and national development priorities as key reasons for the switch.

Among those present at the crucial meeting were:

• Deputy Governor Sir Monday Onyeme
• Former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa
• Speaker of the State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor
• State and National Assembly members
• Commissioners
• Local government chairmen
• Key PDP officials

This sweeping defection marks the first time since 1999 that both a sitting and a former governor have jointly left the PDP in Delta State, signaling a deep and potentially lasting shift in the region’s political dynamics.

As the 2027 general elections loom on the horizon, Delta now enters a new political chapter, with both allies and opposition closely watching how the state’s governance evolves under APC leadership.