|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The crisis in Nigeria’s main opposition, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) degenerated further on Wednesday, this is after two prominent leaders dumped the party.
Sheriff Oborevwori, the Delta State Governor, announced his official defection from the PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement was made following a closed-door meeting at the Government House in Asaba on Wednesday evening.
The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Festus Ahon, confirmed the decision, saying the decision was reached after wide consultations with political stakeholders and in the interest of Delta’s long-term development.
Oborevwori, who emerged victorious in the 2023 gubernatorial election under the PDP platform, was received by senior APC officials.
Read also: 2027: There is no division in APC – Group
Also on Wednesday, Ifeanyi Okowa, former Delta governor, also caused a stir by announcing his decision to dump the PDP.
Okowa, a medical doctor-turned-politician, served as the PDP’s vice presidential candidate in the 2023 presidential election.
The selection of Okowa as the running mate by presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar over former Rivers State governor and current Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has been identified as the primary reason for Wike’s rebellion against the party, leading to on-going internal strife.
Okowa made it clear that he intends to embark on a new political path, which may involve joining another party.
Although he has not specified his next move, political observers suggest that he might join the ruling All APC.
Reacting to the wave of defection hitting the PDP, former deputy national chairman of the PDP and stalwart member, Bode George did not minced words in expressing his disappointment over the recent spate of defections from the party.
In a public statement, George accused prominent PDP members, including serving governors, of abandoning the party that helped them achieve political relevance.
He said, “The PDP brought them from obscurity to prominence, but now that they are politically relevant, they are leaving the Party in droves.
Recall that Ned Nwoko, a PDP Senator, Delta North, recently dumped the Party for the APC.
Analysts say the defections are a strategic realignment with significant implications ahead of the 2027 general elections.
