In what appeared to be a dramatic unraveling of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), a mass defection rocks PDP as the main opposition party witnessed a significant blow as Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State and his predecessor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, officially announced their defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Governor Oborevwori, who was reportedly under immense pressure, ended speculation by confirming his exit from PDP, joining top political figures in embracing the APC’s “broom” symbol.
Across state lines in Rivers, anxiety has gripped the political atmosphere amid rumors that the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara may also be considering a move to the ruling party. Many believe this is part of a larger southern coalition aimed at reinforcing President Bola Tinubu’s second-term ambitions.
The news of the defection emerged after an extended stakeholders’ gathering at the Delta State Government House in Asaba, which lasted over six hours.
Senator James Manager, speaking after the meeting, revealed that the Governor, Okowa, the State House Speaker, PDP Chairman, all 25 local government chairpersons, and numerous loyalists had resolved to shift allegiance to APC.
A commissioner in the state emphasized that this decision was collectively reached, stressing its significance for Delta’s continued development. He explained that dissatisfaction with the PDP’s internal politics prompted the unanimous defection.
Insiders suggest that Governor Oborevwori’s move essentially guarantees him the APC ticket for the 2027 Governorship race.
A party loyalist disclosed that the Governor plans to restructure his cabinet soon to include new APC members, with an initial 60/40 power-sharing formula favoring the PDP. This ratio is expected to apply both to the state’s executive appointments and party structure.
Meanwhile, in Osun State, another high-profile PDP figure, Honourable Oluwole Busayo Oke, who represents the Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives has also exited the party.
Oke, a six-term legislator, tendered his resignation in a letter dated April 16 to his PDP ward Chairman in Obokun Local Government Area. Copies were also sent to the national and state PDP leadership. While confirming his resignation, Oke expressed dissatisfaction with Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration, accusing it of marginalizing party financiers and veterans like himself.
Earlier this year, ex-Interior Minister and former Osun governor Rauf Aregbesola left the APC and advised the PDP to consider welcoming him as a strategy to strengthen its prospects ahead of the 2026 state election. Oke, however, did not disclose which party he plans to join next.
Despite these mass defections, APC founding member, Osita Okechukwu dismissed fears that Nigeria could become a one-party system. Speaking from Abuja, Okechukwu insisted that the country’s diverse political dynamics make such an outcome unlikely.
He characterized the Delta defections as a logical consequence of the PDP’s internal contradictions, particularly its failure to adhere to rotational arrangements, which were enshrined in its constitution but disregarded during the last presidential primaries.
He warned that the 2027 presidential contest might follow the same flawed logic of skewed regional representation, arguing that these developments reflect deeper political miscalculations rather than progress.
In response to Oborevwori’s defection, former PDP Deputy National Chairman Chief Bode George condemned the move, calling for the Governor’s immediate resignation. He accused the APC of using coercion and state resources to manipulate PDP Governors into defecting, and labelling the ruling party as a dictatorship dominated by just two figures: Tinubu and Ganduje.
George reaffirmed Delta State’s PDP identity and urged the populace not to follow Oborevwori to the APC. He questioned what achievements the APC has made since coming to power in 2015 that could justify such political realignments.
Former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido also expressed disappointment, attributing the defections to a breakdown of political principles. He argued that such betrayals undermine Nigeria’s democracy and warned that President Tinubu risks damaging his own political future by dismantling the opposition.
Lamido insisted he would remain loyal to the PDP, asserting that the party remains central to Nigeria’s political history. He pointed out that most current political figures in Nigeria, including many in the APC, were originally PDP members. To him, collapsing the PDP would be akin to collapsing the nation’s democratic framework.
2027: A Battle of Regions?
Chekwas Okorie, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), voiced deep concern over the Delta PDP’s complete shift to the APC. He predicted a worsening divide between northern and southern political interests ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the Middle Belt becoming the swing zone.
Okorie cautioned that the country is moving away from issue-based politics, with ethnic and regional considerations taking center stage. He warned of further defections from southern states and stressed that the masses’ response would determine whether Nigeria could endure the political process or descend into chaos.
The mass defection, he argued, might explain President Tinubu’s seeming indifference to opposition coalition efforts being spearheaded by former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, and ex-Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai.
Amid ongoing political turmoil in Rivers State, citizens and analysts are demanding transparency over a reported secret meeting between suspended Governor, Siminalayi Fubara and President Tinubu, in London.
The meeting, believed to be a condition for the Governor’s possible return to office, has fueled speculation that he may soon declare for the APC. Local leaders insist the situation has transcended individual actors, evolving into a standoff between the people of Rivers and the political alliance of Tinubu and FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Sunny Dada, a civil society leader, expressed concern that Governors are being intimidated into silence, frequently resorting to drastic actions such as suspending traditional rulers to preempt any federal intervention.
The Rivers APC’s Publicity Secretary, Chibuike Ikenga, said the party would refrain from commenting on the London meeting until official details are released.
