Politicians' Unexpected Shift: Oborevwori & Okowa's New Alliance with APC

Oborevwori, Okowa, and others from the oil-rich state were welcomed into the APC on Monday at a ceremony attended by a large throng at Asaba's Cenotaph, days after they declared their decision to abandon the PDP.

The defectors were officially welcomed into the party by ruling APC chieftains such as Vice President Kashim Shettima, the party's National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, and Governor Hope Uzodimma, chairman of the Progressive Governors' Forum, among other political figures.

During the event, the Delta governor called the decision as historic. Oborevwori stated that his decision to join the APC was motivated by a desire to do what was best for the South-South state.

"What you witnessed here today is a movement, not a defection. We consulted stakeholders at every level. Mr President has given us love," Oborevwori, a former Delta State House of Assembly speaker, said at the ceremony on Monday.

The governor stated that the decision to join the APC was based on consultations with stakeholders in the oil-rich state and President Bola Tinubu's affection for Delta.

"We can't face him in 2027 and work against him. When you consult broadly, you will notice that the love is organic," the governor contended.

“All our members in the Delta State House of Assembly have agreed to defect. The state exco, council chairmen, councillors, LG chairmen, and others are all flocking to the APC,” Oborevwori noted.

‘Bold, Patriotic, Well-Intentioned Move’

The fall of the PDP apparatus in Delta shocked millions of Nigerians. That move ended the main opposition party's 26-year hold on the state, providing a new layer of intrigue ahead of the upcoming election. Okowa was the PDP's vice presidential candidate in the 2023 general election.

The departure from one of the PDP's traditional strongholds has sparked controversy among Nigerians and analysts alike.

The PDP expressed shock at the defection but was unconcerned about the political consequences.

During the ceremonial greeting for the defectors, Okowa reiterated Oborevwori's explanation for the breakdown of the PDP structure. The former congressman stated that the "bold" action was in the "best interests of our people".

"Today is a terrific day for Delta State. "We defected in the best interest of our people," Okowa, a former commissioner, addressed the crowd of supporters and other political leaders.

"It wasn't about me or the governor; it was about the necessity for us to connect with Abuja. This is a brave, patriotic, and well-intentioned decision."

Shettima, who led the APC team to the ceremony, welcomed the new members to the party.

He stated that the defection reflects Governor Oberevwori and his Delta State team's progressive values.

Vice President Shettima praised the decampment as a tsunami and an incredible achievement.

"This is a political tsunami of unimaginable proportions that has never happened in the history of the South-South sub-region and the history of Nigeria," according to him.