The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) says it is unbothered by the defection of Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The duo and their entire structure dump the PDP on Wednesday ending the party’s 26 years in power in the state it had ruled since the return to Democracy in 1999 through then Governor James Ibori.
However, reacting to the development at the party headquarters during the presentation of a certificate of return to its Governorship Candidate in the forthcoming Anambra State election, PDP Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Ilyas Damagum, said the party had decided to leave its “fate in the hands of God.”
Although he described the development as “very sad and unfortunate,” particularly given the PDP’s longstanding support for Delta, Damagun said “we believe God will help us out of this great situation.”
He recalled that the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party Peter Obi had no Governor behind him but still garnered millions of votes.
According to Damagum, the party remained resilient and battle-ready ahead of 2027 despite the setback.
He said: “If there’s any state that should not have taken this path, it’s Delta. We gave them everything, supported for the Governor, and even the former Governor, who was our vice presidential candidate in 2023. We least expected this action from them.
“This is a party that has seen more than this and is still standing. Let me remind us all – Peter Obi had no Governor behind him in 2023, but he still garnered millions of votes.
“The 2027 election is not about how many Governors or so-called leaders a party has. It’s about President Tinubu and the condition of Nigerians. This election will be APC versus Nigerians.”
He warned that while defections may be secured through coercion or persuasion, the ordinary Nigerian, feeling the brunt of current economic policies, would ultimately decide the outcome.
Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Amb. Umar Damagum, while reacting to the defection expressed party’s disappointment, calling Oborevwori’s departure a painful loss.
However, Damagum reassured supporters that the PDP would quickly reclaim control of Delta’s political structure.
Damagum also made remarks on the national level, warning that while President Bola Ahmed Tinubu may have certain political strategies, he does not hold ultimate power over the 2027 elections.
