The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has yet to issue an official response following the dramatic defection of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his predecessor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Their departure, which marks a major political upheaval in Delta State, has reportedly plunged the PDP’s top leadership organs—including the National Working Committee (NWC), the National Executive Committee (NEC), and the Board of Trustees (BoT)—into a state of shock and confusion.
A Major Blow to the PDP
The defection of two of the party’s most prominent figures from Delta State is being seen by many political analysts as a critical blow to the PDP’s hold on the South-South region, traditionally considered a party stronghold.
Although neither Oborevwori nor Okowa has publicly stated the reasons for their switch to the ruling party, insiders suggest the move may have been in the works for some time and could signal broader realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
An unnamed member of the PDP’s NWC, speaking to Vanguard, described the situation as “potentially the start of a mass defection” from the opposition party.
“Discussions have reached advanced stages with three more PDP governors,” the source said, adding, “It’s highly probable that at least two more governors will cross over to the APC in the coming months.”
APC Celebrates New Entrants
Reacting to the political development, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), who hails from Delta State, welcomed the defection with enthusiasm.
Taking to his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Keyamo praised both leaders for what he called a “landmark decision” and described their move as a defining moment in Delta State’s political history.
“Today is the day the Lord has made in Delta State; finally, finally Delta is APC! Thank you, Mr. President, for your leadership that has attracted the best to our party,” Keyamo wrote, underlining the strategic significance of the defections for the APC.
Implications and Reactions
While PDP leaders at the national level have remained publicly mute on the matter, the silence is being interpreted by political observers as a sign of internal disarray or strategic regrouping. The departure of both a sitting governor and his predecessor may lead to further fragmentation within the party and could impact its chances in future elections—especially if more governors follow suit.
For the APC, the defections are a symbolic victory and part of a broader effort by the party to consolidate power and increase its influence in regions previously dominated by the opposition.
The coming weeks are expected to reveal more about the impact of these moves, both within the PDP and across the national political spectrum.
