In what is being described as a major political earthquake in Delta State, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), alongside his predecessor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, and key leaders of the PDP in the state.
The defection was announced late Wednesday evening after a high-level, closed-door meeting that lasted over six hours at Government House, Asaba.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the meeting, Senator James Manager disclosed that the move had the full backing of the state’s political stakeholders.
“All PDP members in the state, including the governor, former Governor Okowa, the Speaker, the state party chairman, all the local government chairmen and others, have agreed to move to the APC. We cannot continue to be in a sinking boat,” Manager stated.
Confirming the decision, the Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, said the move was taken in the interest of unity, security, and sustainable development in the state. He noted that it became necessary to chart a new course after wide consultations.
“The decision was taken to build the bond of love that has existed in our state, to advance further the cause of security and welfare of our people, and to a very large extent, ensure that development in Delta; because every politics is local,” Aniagwu said.
He further explained that the leadership of the PDP in the state had reached an “inevitable conclusion” that remaining in the party was no longer viable.
“In taking that decision we came to the inevitable conclusion that moving out of the PDP is very very necessary for us to be able to collaborate with our kith and kin and build that state that every Deltan will be proud of,” he added.
In what appeared to be a metaphorical swipe at the PDP, Aniagwu said, “We believe that what is happening and the state of the PDP is akin to that palm wine whose taste has changed and there was a need for us to change the drinking pattern.”
He also hinted that a formal public declaration of their defection to the APC will be made soon. “By the grace of God, Monday next week, we will be able to make a very big statement after the fact that we are moving into the APC,” he said.
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