The crack on the political wall of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State is seen to be deepening by the day with the defection of 84 members of the party to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).
The 84 members from Ukwuani Local Government Area of the state are said to be loyalists of Ned Nwoko, senator representing Delta North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, who months ago decamped to the APC from the PDP.
The mass resignation of the 84 members is seen to be shaking the state’s political landscape.
The defectors, all members of the Ned Nwoko Mandate political structure, tendered a jointly signed resignation letter dated Friday, April 11, 2025.
Addressed to the PDP Chairman of Ukwuani LGA, the letter cited deep dissatisfaction with the party’s internal dynamics, pointing specifically to issues of factionalism, exclusion, and what they termed as systemic marginalisation by the party-imposed leadership.
The signatories span across all ten wards in the local government, marking one of the most significant and structured walkouts from the party in recent memory.
Read also: Ned Nwoko dumps PDP, cites ‘deep divisions’ as reason
The letter, signed by grassroots coordinators, ward leaders, and other rank-and-file members, decried what they called “an injustice” in which loyal and long-serving members were consistently overlooked for recognition and political inclusion.
Instead, recent entrants with minimal contributions were allegedly elevated and rewarded, further deepening internal grievances.
“What is painful is the fact that people who just joined the party a few years ago, with no tangible contribution, are raised and positioned far above all of us that have been working so hard to put the various PDP-led governments in place since over two decades. What an injustice. Enough is enough,” the letter stated emphatically.
Since his defection to the APC, Nwoko has launched an aggressive campaign to dismantle PDP dominance in Delta State, a party that has held sway since the inception of the current democracy in Nigeria.
His mandate, increasingly resonating with disillusioned PDP loyalists, appears to be creating deep cracks within the party, particularly in Delta North senatorial district.
Political observers say this development is more than symbolic, it is a warning sign of the shifting power matrix in the state.
With coordinated efforts and increasing grassroots backing, Nwoko seems to be laying foundation for a full-scale political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
There had been similar mass exits in other LGAs such as Aniocha North, Ika North East, and Oshimili South, all in Delta North and are being linked to Nwoko as he had assured that more PDP members would leave for the APC ahead of 2027 elections.
For Nwoko, APC is the only party that would salvage Delta State.
As at the time of filing this report Friday evening, PDP leadership in the state was yet to react to the development.
