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Tag: Delta PDP

  • Delta PDP regroups after Oborevwori’s defection

    Delta PDP regroups after Oborevwori’s defection

    Despite the defections, the members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State are fighting to reclaim the lost political ground. BASIL OKOH writes.

    The recent political upheaval in Delta State, triggered by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s surprise defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has left the party momentarily shaken but not broken.

    The party shows signs of renewed strength and resolve. The first alarm came from Ika South PDP in Agbor, where members reported an attempt to halt their party meeting at their usual venue on Mariere Street. This disruption followed Oborevwori’s stunning announcement: the entire Delta State PDP was defecting to the APC, and all party organs were instructed to shut down and individually register with the APC at the ward level.

    The Delta State APC Chairman, Elder Omeni Sobotie, thereafter announced the readiness of the APC organs at ward levels to receive and register every PDP defector.

    PDP members across Delta were stunned by the sudden defection of their leader, Governor Oborevwori. Like lions startled by an unexpected bang, they initially scattered in confusion. But as lions also do, they are now regrouping and roaring back to reclaim their territory in the political jungle of Delta State.

    What is left of the PDP leadership at the grassroots is rising to reaffirm its grip on the state the party has governed for 26 years.

    So, slowly but surely, in the 270 wards across the state, the PDP is rousing its members and getting them back together for political contention, signalling its readiness to fight for power again, without its titled leaders.

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    Emmanuel Ogidi of Isoko South has been tasked by the interim National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagun, to rally the remaining loyalists and lead the reorganisation and election of new party officers. It’s no small task, but Delta PDP was once a tightly knit machine that thrived through 26 years of uninterrupted rule.

    In recent years, however, the party became bloated and top-heavy, its voice growing louder but hollower. In that sense, this shake-up may be a blessing in disguise — a chance to shed the dead weight and rebuild smarter.

    The party had grown top-heavy and increasingly hollow, like a loud but empty drum. Now, forced to shed some weight, it would regain agility and purpose.

    The challenge to the resurgent PDP will not be from other political parties in the state or from its organisational failures, but from interferences from its previous leaders, particularly Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and Governor Oborevwori.

    If a new interim leader can rally other members and elect a new executive council, the PDP reclaim the prime place in Delta politics with its new corps of leaders whose umbilical cords are not tied to the old guard.

    Nevertheless, the new PDP’s major challenge will be interference from its previous leaders who are now with the APC. They will not be able to stomach a challenge from their old party, particularly when both sides know and have practised in what they do to win elections without majority votes.

    It has been revealed that former Governor Okowa is sending messages through back channels to the previous state Chairman Esiso to take charge of the party.

    But Esiso has denied. Nevertheless, everyone knows that such orders are Okowa’s standard practice. Okowa’s method of political operations is to disrupt the opposition with bribery, buying off leading opposition members to stop them from presenting formidable challengers. He will continue this obstreperous practice with his old party.

    Oborevwori and Okowa’s positions in the APC are becoming increasingly untenable, with only a few old allies following them into the APC.

    The duo expected a flood of PDP members would follow them into the APC. With that support, they hoped to outnumber the party’s original members and dominate the upcoming party congress.

    Their goal was to overwhelm the old guard and seize full control of APC structures in the Delta State. To their consternation, that plan has not worked, as even their members felt betrayed by the leaders’ peremptory action.

    According to Ika South APC Chairman, Mr. Hilary Fada Ibude, fewer than five per cent of former PDP members have registered with the APC in his area.

    Across the state, tensions are rising at the ward level, as a small number of defectors clash with the overwhelming majority who refuse to follow their leaders into the APC.

    As PDP embarks on reorganisation, many defectors have opted to return to their old PDP, because the APC has introduced a countermeasure at ward registrations.

    Each new registrant is being asked to submit their PDP registration card for seizure or destruction before being issued an APC card. This is the quiet war going on at ward offices now.

    It is a reflection of the unpopularity of Oborevwori and Okowa that many old PDP allies are not following them to the APC and will not register for the APC. These two leaders took for granted that most members would follow them into their new party.

    They did not reckon with principles and the simple fact that people take pride and believe in their political party.

    Interestingly, none of the major PDP figures across the state have formally resigned from the party. Most are keeping their next moves quiet. Even Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Governor Okowa have yet to submit resignation letters to their PDP Ward Chairmen — the officials authorised to receive such notices. Nor have they registered with the APC. For now, all eyes are watching, waiting.

    • Okoh writes from Asaba, the Delta State

  • PDP to sue Delta governor, others

    PDP to sue Delta governor, others

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday said it will sue Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and other elected officials of the state, for defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The party’s Acting National Chairman, Ilyas Damagum, said the intention is to retrieve their mandate from the governor and the lawmakers.

    This is one of the decisions of the National Working Committee (NWC) at its meeting yesterday following the defection of the governor and all elected party and government officials in Delta State to the APC. All of them were received into the ruling party on Monday in Asaba by Vice President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje.

    Damagum also said the NWC decided that errant party chiefs, who openly flirt with the APC would be expelled.

    Another decision of the NWC, according to him, is the total adoption of the resolutions of the PDP governors’ meeting in Ibadan on April 14.

    Read Also: An anatomy of the Delta PDP defections

    The PDP governors resolve that the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting should hold on May 27 and the national convention slated for August on a date to be decided by the NEC.

    The governors also rejected Samuel Anyanwu and Monday Udeh-Okoye, both claimants to the office of National Secretary. They ask Assistant National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, to act until the election of a substantive secretary at the convention.

    Damagum, who spoke to reporters after the NWC meeting, said: “We have adopted the decisions of the PDP Governors’ Forum as recommended so that the NEC can take decisions on them,” Damagum stated.

    “We are not conquered people, I urge all our supporters to remain loyal; we may have internal crises but they are surmountable like others that we had overcome in the past.

    Also, it was decided to among others, constitute a Zoning Committee to address all issues relating to the zoning of party offices arrange for PDP’s National convention in Kano between August 28 to 30.

    In Asaba yesterday, the day after the transplant of the PDP structures in the APC, the state secretariat of the PDP was desolate. It remained locked without any sign of life around there, although the party’s name and logo still adorned the building.

    Some officials said last night that the secretariat might likely be repainted with APC colours and the PDP flags replaced with that of the APC.

    Yesterday, Damagum said a caretaker committee for PDP in Delta to be headed by a past chairman of the chapter, Chief Emmanuel Ogidi, would be constituted to run the party on an interim basis until substantive officials are elected.

    Moro: legal action in order

    Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), endorsed the PDP’s decision to pursue legal action against the defectors.

    Moro, who spoke on a television programmed, described the defections as a “reprehensible” betrayal of the party, saying that the move to seek legal redress is justified and necessary to uphold political accountability and deter future betrayals.

    Moro argued that the legal action is a critical step in reinforcing the principle that elected officials cannot abandon the platform that brought them to power without consequences.

    He said: “As a law-abiding organisation, the PDP has this option, this window of suing these members, not necessarily for the sake of saying, ‘Hey, come back,’ but at least to show that you cannot betray the party and go scot-free.”

    Moro emphasised that the defections raised a “moral question,” particularly for prominent figures like Okowa, who rose through the ranks of the PDP as a senator, governor, and the vice-presidential candidate.

    He expressed dismay at Okowa’s public regret over his role as the PDP’s vice-presidential candidate, describing it as “uncharitable” and a sign of disloyalty.

    Moro stressed: “Having been a senator before, having been a governor before, on the platform of the PDP, I think it’s uncharitable for him to come forth now and say that he regretted being on the ticket. He was not forced. He asked for it, and he was given.”

    He said Okowa’s selection as Atiku Abubakar’s running mate was a “political miscalculation,” noting that some party members believed other candidates were more committed and could have delivered better electoral outcomes.

    Moro frowned at Okowa’s inability to secure Delta for the PDP in the presidential election, despite being a sitting governor and vice-presidential candidate.

    He said: “How can you explain that a sitting governor, a former senator, a vice-presidential candidate of the party, couldn’t deliver his state even to the presidential candidate? His soul was not in the PDP. His soul was not in that election. And that is why we performed very miserably in Delta State.”

    Moro, who acknowledged the PDP’s internal crises, leadership disputes and factionalism, however, rejected the notion that the party is on the verge of collapse.

    He alluded to the resilience of PDP members at the grassroots level, who he believes will sustain the party’s relevance, saying: “Those people who make elections are out there—the electorate, the masses, the ordinary member of the party. They are the ones that make the party.”

    Moro also addressed concerns about the PDP’s dwindling numbers in the Senate, where the APC now holds 64 seats compared to the PDP’s 33, following the defection of Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North) in February.

    He alleged that some defections were influenced by “compromises,” such as offers of committee positions, saying that such moves are devoid of principle.

    Moro said: “I can tell you for free here that some of these persons were compromised. There’s no doubt about it.”

    He dismissed fears that the party cannot recover ahead of 2027 elections, citing the PDP’s historical dominance, having once controlled 28 states and both arms of the National Assembly, as evidence of its enduring strength.

    He said: “Out of these failures, out of these disappointments and betrayals, I can assure you PDP will reorganize itself, learning from the mistakes and forge ahead.”

    Moro expressed disappointment that Atiku did not take a more proactive role in unifying the party post-election.

    He said: “I expected that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar should have started from day one after the election to galvanise the PDP and hold some level of cohesion within the party.”

  • An anatomy of the Delta PDP defections

    An anatomy of the Delta PDP defections

    Commentators are running out of adjectives to describe the emptying of Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, and the entire Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) family – root and branch – into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Their erstwhile party hastily summoned a meeting of its National Working Committee (NWC) to make sense of the punch it had just taken in its gut. Across the country the political firmament is reeling.

    Even the local APC appeared just as stunned by its sudden good fortune – the unexpected influx of yesterday’s foes, now turned overnight comrade-in-arms. In one move, aspirations and ambitions were shredded.

    Take the case of former Deputy Senate President and the party governorship candidate at the 2023 election, Ovie Omo-Agege. He was believed to be shaping for another run in two years and loved to sign off his press statements as ‘APC Leader, Delta State.’

    Vice President Kashim Shettima who led the ruling party’s team to receive the new entrants, pronounced Oborevwori the state party leader at the defection ceremony in Asaba. “Now that you have come, we are all co-owners because according to the constitution of the party, the governor of the party is the leader of the party in the state. This is now as much as your party as it is ours,” he said.

    In one unscripted moment, uncontrollable political forces knocked Omo-Agege off his perch and handed his ‘title’ to another. I doubt he was particularly amused. But the options open to him are limited: lick his wounds, accept the new reality or consider his future within the ruling party. Unfortunately for him all the structures that matter have united under the APC umbrella in Delta. Pulling in a different direction hardly makes sense at the moment.

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    On the national scale, the impact of the defections on the opposition is both numerical and psychological. Leading lights like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, have repeatedly argued that their best chance against President Bola Tinubu was to combine resources in one mega platform. Their appeals to the PDP have been rebuffed by the party’s governors. What they’ve tried to sell as an unstoppable coalition now looks like a giant balloon pierced by a sharp object.

    The alliance was supposed to be a magnet for all those unhappy with the president and his APC government. You would, therefore, expect a haemorrhage of support from the ruling party based on all the surrounding negativity. Strangely, the defection traffic has been going the wrong way. Those heading to APC are breaking out of the closet by the day; the ones purportedly rallying behind Atiku’s special purpose vehicle remain a mystery.

    As of April 23, and without a ballot being cast in anger, APC now controls 22 governorships – up from 21. PDP is down to 11, while the likes of the Labour Party (LP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) all have one apiece.

    Delta is no ordinary PDP state – it’s a dyed-in-the-wool one which the party has held effortlessly since 1999. To lose it is akin to the heart being ripped out of the organisation or, more appropriately in this case, the organ being handed out by a willing donor.

    This was the state that produced Atiku’s running mate at the 2023 elections. Less than two years after he has now spoken of his regret accepting the nomination. He told Arise TV: “Even when we were campaigning, I realised our people were not interested in having another northerner come into power. But the decision had already been taken at the federal level by the party (PDP) and I had been nominated. Still, in retrospect, I now believe I should have gone with the will of my people.”

    His selection destroyed Atiku’s relationship with former Rivers State Governor turned Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, as well as upended PDP presidential challenge. The same man has now turned around to repudiate the very basis on which the ex-VP ran.

    Okowa has confirmed what many have argued that PDP shot itself in the foot by collaborating with its flagbearer to stomp on its long-held zoning principle.

    The unique nature of the Delta defections cannot be overemphasised. We’ve seen governors decamp without their deputies following; we have witnessed ex-governors like El-Rufai quit in a huff, only to be accompanied by a handful of near-anonymous lightweights. Never has an entire political structure – from local government to governor, state legislators to federal representatives – uproot from one place to another in one fell swoop.

    It’s a psychological blow that will shape the direction of politics over the next two years – especially with dark whisperings suggesting the opposition could still lose a couple of governors to the ruling party.

    While APC apparatchik are crowing and bragging about the 2027 polls being in the bag, the opposition have been struggling to spin the defections as inconsequential. We’ve been reminded of how former LP presidential candidate, Peter Obi, won millions of votes without a governor in his camp two years ago.

    Others have sneered that governors have only one vote like other citizens.  That may be factually correct, but they have the ability to influence hundreds of thousands of voters given the resources they control. Atiku picked Okowa as much as for his personal qualities as for the resources he would bring to the table. This last factor effectively neutralised whatever advantage Wike enjoyed in this area.

    We are now being told governors don’t matter, but anyone who understands Nigerian politics knows it was the defection of five PDP governors that transformed a feeble APC in 2014 into the credible challenger that broke PDP’s hegemony.

    Those seeking to use Obi’s performance to downplay the defections need to be reminded of the factors at play back then. So strong was the ethnic card two years ago that governors from other parties who should have opposed him, encouraged their supporters to engage in tactical voting across the Southeast: vote LP for president, our candidate for governor.

    It was the reason the presidential election results were so different from the gubernatorial ones in the zone. Obi scored well over 70% of votes cast in several states but two weeks later his LP platform only won the governorship in Abia.

    Today, APC has 22 governors to PDP’s 11. These numbers have been held up as signalling the demise of democracy and the onset of the one-party state. But those singing this dirge forget that historically there have been worse statistics.

    In 2003, PDP controlled 27 states, the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) eight and Alliance for Democracy (AD) one.  At the height of its powers in 2007, it had 31 governors, ANPP 3, Action Congress (AC) and APGA one each. The party also had 85 out of 109 senators, 260 out of 360 members of the House of Representatives. Yet, none of today’s mourners suggested back then that democracy was endangered.

    The 2023 election broke certain myths with the triumph of the same faith ticket. But it also reinforced the reality that no party can win the presidency without a broad base across the zones. The ongoing realignments are strengthening APC in the South-South and Southeast which PDP once took for granted as its impregnable fortresses. The ruling party is already formidable across the North-Central zone and can build on its advantages.

    The emerging political map looks dire for the opposition coalition as the only thing it’s feeding on presently is frustration among a section of the political elite in the Northwest and Northeast. Its messaging on the state of the economy doesn’t seem to be resonating as to pry people away from the ruling party.

    Even if they were to sweep every available vote in the two far North zones, the past experiences of former President Muhammadu Buhari show that isn’t enough to win. But even these two zones, Tinubu and APC have shown that they can be competitive by holding on to ground they won two years ago.

    To change the narrative, Atiku and company have to come up with their own dramatic political moments that show a broadening of appeal. As things stand momentum isn’t on the side of their stuttering alliance.

    Potentially, more debilitating for them are emerging signals the ex-VP and his co-travellers are determined to rehash their historic error of downplaying zoning. That would most likely lead to a repeat of 2023 outcomes with minimal efforts by the victors.

  • Political Tsunami in Delta

    Political Tsunami in Delta

    There was a major blow to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State yesterday. The 26-year rule of the party ended abruptly, following the defection of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and other key leaders to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Delta PDP, according observers, almost became a carcass; a ghost of its original self and an absolutely distressed organisation. It was shocking.

    The defectors include the deputy governor, Monday Onyeme, House of Assembly Speaker Emomotimi Guwor, commissioners, state and federal lawmakers, local government chairmen and councilors, and party officers at the ward, local government and state levels.

    The Atiku camp of the leading opposition party is not spared by the implosion. It became depleted. The parting of ways between the party’s 2023 presidential candidate and his running mate, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, was sudden. The separation occurred without a known quarrel.

    Oborevwori joined the PDP as a youth. A loyal party man, he served on the platform as Speaker of the House of Assembly before he was elected governor.

    Okowa also served on the platform of the party as a commissioner, Secretary to State Government and senator. He was also governor for eight years.

    The mass defection of the entire PDP structure is surprising, although it had been speculated for months. Since 1999, Delta has been one of the strongholds of the PDP. It has produced four governors – Chief James Ibori, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Okowa and Oborevwori.

    Although opposition parties, including Labour Party (LP) and the APC had produced senators in the state, PDP had always won the governorship polls.

    Senator James Manager, pioneer Delta PDP chairman, justified the mass defection. PDP is troubled; it is torn apart by protracted leadership crisis, Manager said. He said the collective decision to defect was motivated by the desire to escape from a boat that was about to capsize.

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    Hailing the defection, APC National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru said it underscored the collapse of trust between PDP and the defectors. He also said the defection would enlarge the coast of the ruling party and reposition it as a formidable platform for future elections.

    As from yesterday, the 2027 calculations in Delta changed. Oborevwori became the undisputed leader of Delta APC, who other stalwarts – Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Senator Ned Nwoko, Great Ogboru and Otega Omerhor – have to cooperate and work with to achieve the 2027 goals of the party.

    The challenge that would now confront the party is the harmonisation of party structues at the ward, local government and state levels.

    Before yesterday, only four states had maintained rare consistency in political choices. From 1999 to date, Lagos, either under the leadership of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Babatunde Fashola, Akinwunmi Ambode or Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had remained the stronghold of the progressive party that only changed its name – AD, AC, ACN and APC.

    Akwa Ibow has produced four PDP governors – Obong Victor Attah, Godswill Akpabio, Udo Emmanuel and Umo Eno.

    Also, Enugu has remained a PDP state. It produced Chimaroke Nnamani, Chima Sullivan, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Peter Mbah.

    Oborevwori’s defection means that the PDP Governors’ Forum (PDPGF), led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, is depleted.

    PDP’s loss is APC’s gain. In the Southsouth, APC now controls three states – Edo, Cross River and Delta; PDP has three – Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom. But two weeks ago, Governor Eno of Akwa Ibom declared his support for President Tinubu’s second term bid.

    In Rivers, there is a fierce battle between APC and PDP.

    The Southeast is slipping from the grip of PDP. The party only controls Enugu. APC wields control in Imo and Ebonyi. Abia is governed by Labour Party’s (LP’s) Governor Alex Otti. Anambra remains the stronghold of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

    The scenario has implications for Atiku, who is warming up for the 2027 primary of the party. It is a devastating blow to his bid. Currently, the former vice president appears to be on a false coalition mission, which does not enjoy the support of the PDP governors. The party is ebbing away.

    Atiku needs a platform and PDP does not offer a guarantee. It would appear that time is short; it is not on his side, especially when the electioneering would kick off in less than two years.

    Feelers suggest that more PDP governors may follow suit. Sources said APC is seriously wooing them.

    The 2027 permutations have started. Politicians are returning to the drawing board. The future is pregnant with possibilities.

    But, as it is often said, 24 hours is a long time in politics.

  • Oborevwori, Okowa defect to APC with entire Delta PDP

    Oborevwori, Okowa defect to APC with entire Delta PDP

    • Governor leads all political appointees, leaders at all levels to ruling party

    • Atiku’s 2023 running mate leaves

    A political tsunami swept through the landscape of Delta State yesterday.

    The entire political structure of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) dissolved into the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Governor Sheriff Oborevwori led the immediate-past Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, all political appointees, all elected public office holders and all party executives in a mass defection to the APC.

    Okowa was the running mate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, PDP standard bearer in the 2023 presidential election.

    The decision was announced after a meeting of party leaders, political office holders, serving and former and other stakeholders at Government House, Asaba.

    The governor, who presided, promised to speak further on the development on Monday at a rally.

    Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, a journalist, said the PDP leadership in the state came to an “inevitable conclusion” that leaving the party was the only way to ensure political stability.

    “The decision was taken to build the bond of love that has existed in our state, to further advance 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.

    “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.

    “It is said that when the taste of the palm wine changes, the drinking pattern also changes. The leaders of the party were unanimous in their view that the political temperature has changed.

    “And there was a need for change that would help cement the development in our state; to build the bond of love that has existed in our state, and to further advance the security and welfare of our people.

    “We believe that what is happening in the PDP at the national level can be likened to that palm wine whose taste has changed, and that is why this decision has been taken.

    “By the grace of God, next Monday, we will be able to make a bold statement that we are moving to the APC.”

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    Pioneer Chairman of the PDP in the state, Senator James Manager, said the decision was taken in consultation with stakeholders.

    He said: “It is a unanimous agreement. I am the pioneer state chairman of the PDP, but you cannot be in a boat that is already capsizing, because I am a riverine man.

    “Looking at issues the way they are, we have come to the inevitable conclusion to do something else. It is a collective decision for so many reasons.

    “A few days ago, there was a resolution taken by the PDP Governors Forum in Ibadan.

    “Almost all the governors were there, and they resolved that they would not go into coalition with any other party.

    “As disadvantaged as the PDP is now with about 11 governors, how do you go into a contest with an incumbent president? Do you think you can win?

    “That particular resolution killed the spirit of so many PDP members.

    “We lost the election in 2015 as a result of a merger which even included splinter groups from the PDP. There are also other reasons.

    “Today, Senator Anyanwu is the National Secretary of the party. Tomorrow, it is another person.

    “The party must be positioned to go into an election to win. So you see that it is becoming very funny. The PDP is truly in trouble.”

    The defectors will be received by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Monday rally.

    Also at the meeting were members of the National Assembly, House of Assembly Speaker Emomotimi Guwor, members of the House, commissioners, council chairmen, top government functionaries and party officials.

    Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), welcomed the defectors.

    He stated in a post on X: “Today is the day the Lord has made in Delta State. Finally, finally, Delta is APC!

    “Thank you, Mr. President, for your leadership that has attracted the best to our Party.

    “Thank you, my leader & Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, for your foresight and courage in taking this bold decision.”

    A member of the PDP National Working Committee who spoke with The Nation expressed concern that the Delta governor may be the first among three governors who will dump the PDP for APC before the end of this year.

    “Talks reached advanced stages with three PDP governors and two more will likely be going within the next few months,” the source said.

    APC, Wike hail defectors

    The APC welcomed Oborevwori.

    National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said in a statement: “The National Working Committee of the APC under the leadership of His Excellency, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, is highly elated by the decision of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, to join our great party, along with eminent leaders of the PDP, including former Governor of Delta State and vice presidential candidate of the PDP in the 2023 presidential election, His Excellency Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, senior administration officials, leaders and members of the House of Assembly, local government chairmen and councillors in the state, and teeming leaders and members of the PDP.

    “Our great party welcomes this important development and assures the governor and incoming leaders and members of Delta PDP of our fullest cooperation and accommodation in the APC family.

    “With this move, coming on the heels of steady defection of PDP leaders and members across the state to APC, including members of Delta Unity Group in Ika federal constituency, we are delighted that Delta, now an APC state, stands poised to contribute maximally to the success and realisation of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and to the enduring good and prosperity of Deltans and all Nigerians.”

    Also, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister,  Nyesom Wike, commended Okowa for supporting President Tinubu.

    He said: “It is another endorsement of the President’s good governance and commitment to the development of the country.”

    In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Public Communications and Social Media,  Lere Olayinka, Wike called on other Nigerians who are still sitting on the fence to throw in their support for the President.

    The minister described the open endorsement of the President by Okowa as “a vindication of the position I took in 2023, which was based on the interest of a united Nigeria.”

    “I commend Dr Okowa and Governor Oborevwori for this heart-warming decision, which must have been informed by good governance and commitment of President Bola Tinubu to the oneness and development of Nigeria.

    “That is what I have always told people to come out and say, not when they have problems and begin to run up and down.

    “They have come out at the right time to show support for the President so that the people of Niger Delta can benefit more from the government, and I commend them.

    “I am particularly happy that what I saw before the 2023 presidential election,  others are now seeing and are joining the Renewed Hope train,” the minister said.

    Uzodinma: it’s a heavy development

    Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma described Oborevwori’s defection as a major development.

    Uzodinma, Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), spoke after a meeting of the forum.

    According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Uzodimma said: “When a governor joins our party, we view it as a significant event and a moment to commend ourselves and thank Almighty God.

    “That’s exactly our sentiment. The Progressive Governors resolved to celebrate this development and extend congratulations to one another.”

    He noted that governors not originally elected on the APC platform now recognise President Tinubu’s efforts and are aligning with the party for a united Nigeria.

    “The APC treats sub-national governance with great importance.

    “So, a governor defecting to our party is a heavy development in our political journey,” he said.

    Uzodinma said the governors discussed the welfare of the APC and current national issues during their meeting.

    They pledged continued support for President Tinubu’s policies and vowed to strengthen the ruling party.

    He stated that the Progressive Governors would promote President Tinubu’s achievements so that Nigerians could fully appreciate the administration’s progress.

    “We’ll counter blackmail and propaganda aimed at tarnishing the government’s image.

    “We, as Progressive Governors, firmly support President Tinubu and the APC government.

    “We are pleased with the progress. Despite challenges, the reform policies are beginning to yield visible results.

    “We pray God grants the President wisdom, courage and strength to deliver greater dividends of democracy for Nigerians,” Uzodinma said.

  • Youthful leadership needed to ‘revitalise’ Delta PDP’

    Youthful leadership needed to ‘revitalise’ Delta PDP’

    As Deltans anticipate the Local Government elections slated for July, some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta state are canvassing for a youthful leadership to “revitalise” the party.

    Understanding the importance of the quest for transformative leadership within the PDP in a statement made available to reporters in Warri, Israel Oke, a party stalwart in the state posited that with a youthful leader at the helm of affairs, the challenges faced in the various LGAs would be addressed.

    Emphasising the urgency for such a “dynamic” and “visionary” person as party chairman, Oke stated: “Members are advocating for a new, youthful leader who embodies a fusion of intelligence, resourcefulness, vibrancy, vision, and unwavering passion to propel the party towards unprecedented success.

    “The setbacks witnessed in diverse LGAs serve as stark reminders of the crucial role leadership plays in the state party structure.

    Read Also: Police arrest man for alleged sexual assault on one-year-old stepdaughter

    “Without strong, visionary leadership at the helm, the party risks stagnation and missed opportunities.

    Continuing, the party faithful said “what is needed is not merely a figurehead but a driving force—a leader capable of securing victories on all fronts and adeptly supporting party aspirants with a robust ideology, financial backing, and unwavering productivity.

    “Advocates for a youthful leader for the party Chairman position argue that this move is more than symbolic; it is a strategic step towards injecting fresh perspectives, innovative strategies, and renewed energy into the party’s core.

  • Delta PDP petitions police over members’ death

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State has petitioned the Commissioner of Police to investigate the murder of its members during last Saturday’s elections.

    A statement by the chairman, David Oghenekevwe, said the deceased members – Messrs Michael Chubiuke and Jeffrey Otevane – went to vote when they met their death.

    He accused Moses Ogodo, a House of Assembly candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his gang of masterminding their death.

    Read also: Security agencies uncover plot by PDP, others to discredit poll

    The statement reads: “Between 13:00hours and 14:00hours on February 23, at unit 15 ward 9, which is very close to Moses Ogodo’ residence, Ogodo and his cohorts came out armed with guns and other dangerous weapons.

    “According to an eyewitness, Ogodo shot and killed Michael Chubiuke, while Shaldrack Nebragho killed Jeffrey Otevane, and they continued to shoot sporadically.

    “This untoward behaviour is unacceptable; we condemn it and call on the Commissioner of Police and other security agents to bring the perpetrators to book.

    “Those who committed this crime are well known; we call on relevant security agencies to take necessary action and bring the culprits – Moses Ogodo, Shaldrack Nebragho and others to book.”

  •  Delta PDP major financier defects to APC

    A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain and  major financier of the party in Delta State, Emma Ejiofor, yesterday defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) with his supporters.

    Ejiofor who spoke with reporters in Asaba-Delta State capital, described the decision to quit his membership of the PDP as painful.

    Ejiofor regretted that the party has drifted  from the vision of its founding fathers, insisting that the clique that has hijacked  the party does not reward loyalty.

    His words: “I am taking what people termed to be hard decision which is dropping my membership of the PDP and taking a progressive step of associating with APC. I funded PDP from birth till this moment.

    ”When we formed PDP, it was with great minds of progressive ideas but what we are seeing is a clear deviation from those progressive ideas. Most of the founders have left the party because our expectations are not being met.

    ”PDP has become a clique of wicked people who don’t reward loyalty. The reward system in PDP is very bad. A situation where if you are given a position today, you become a leader, the contributions of others are not recognized is a bad reward system.

    ”When we formed the PDP, what we did was that the party should be stronger than an individual but what you are seeing today are individuals pocketing the party to an extent that very soon they will change name to South-South PDP because it is going regional.”

  • I’ll restructure Nigeria – Makarfi

    Ex-Kaduna Governor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi has vowed to restructure the country if elected as president in next year’s election.

    Makarfi said his commitment to restructuring is not mere political talk, insisting that there must be a way to restructure the country and its agencies including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) such that political parties are represented in the commission.

    Read Also:How PDP will win in 2019 – Makarfi

    He said as governor of Kaduna State, he was the architect of the first national conference under former president Olusegun Obasanjo, adding however that so many vital areas which were classified as no go areas, were shot out.

    Makarfi who spoke Tuesday during a meeting with Delta PDP members denied that he is aspiring to the position of president because he was once the national chairman of the caretaker committee.

    He said, “I am not an opportunist, I am not coming out to be president because you once appointed national chairman of the caretaker committee. People may have forgotten that I was to succeed Obasanjo in 2007.”

    Continuing, “After we had gone round and I was ahead on the ballot, for some reasons, somebody far behind me on the ballot was selected. Some people were not happy but I agreed to withdraw from the race in the interest of the party and the country.

    “They didn’t believe that I was withdrawing, and the president then asked for a formal letter of withdrawal which I tendered in three days. I did that to ensure smooth transition from one civilian government to the other.

    “That didn’t stop me; I became the leader of the presidential campaign for South-West. And they made a lot of promises to me but were not fulfilled; again I remained loyal to the party.”

    According to the presidential hopeful, political leaders are not associated with so much money before they emerge as president of the country from the onset.

    He said Tafawa Balewa, Shehu Shagari, Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan and even President Muhammadu Buhari never paraded so much wealth before they were elected presidents at various times in the nation’s history.

    “They often underrate us but we have always performed excellently in any task given to us. That is how you know who is capable. We are focused and can never be distracted.

    “When I was running for governorship in 1998, all the big politicians were against me, saying I didn’t have enough money but political leadership is not determined by how much you have.

    “Having too much money is a distraction to the public service you are expected to render when you are elected,” he said.

    He added that he was confident that the PDP will present a credible candidate that all the stakeholders including traditional rulers, religious leaders and all class of the citizenry can feel comfortable with when voted into office.

    In addition to restructuring, Makarfi said if elected, he would address the dearth of infrastructure, noting that he has decided to be going on his nationwide consultation by road to “feel what Nigerians are feeling.”

    He also promised to address insecurity and create an environment for the economy to thrive; pointing out that education, tackling unemployment and poverty reduction will occupy top priority in his administration.

    Responding, the state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa described the presidential hopeful as very grounded about the issues affecting the country having held various positions as governor, senator and national chairman of the party at a time the PDP was in turmoil.

    He said Makarfi was able to manage the turbulent era of the PDP and made it a beautiful bride that is now being sort after, just as he affirmed that Makarfi was a good and honest party man.

     

  • Opposition kicks as Delta PDP sweeps local council polls

    Opposition kicks as Delta PDP sweeps local council polls

    Following the landslide victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Delta State local government elections, OKUNGBOWA AIWERIE examines the post-election acrimony  and its implications for the 2019 governorship election.

    Although the Delta State local government elections have been won and lost, recriminations have continued to trail the conduct of the polls.

    The opposition parties, the including All Progressives Congress (APC) have condemned the conduct of the elections, describing it as “flawed and unacceptable” while calling for fresh polls.

    Furthermore, the opposition parties boycotted the rescheduled elections, which took place on January 9, 2018.

    After the election, the Chairman of the Delta Independent Election Commission (DSIEC), Mr. Mike Ogbodu, declared the PDP winners in 23 local government areas, while elections were postponed in Ughelli North and Ethiope East and later held on Tuesday.

    Ogbodu said 55 chairmanship candidates contested the polls and that the PDP won 425 councillorship seats.

    The chairman said the APC won one councillorship seat in ward 2 in Aniocha North.

    He added that 59 PDP councilors were returned unopposed in the various electoral wards.

    Furthermore, he said elections did not hold in Otor-Owhe community, in Isoko North, Ozoro, following an injunction by a Delta State High Court.

    But, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa who spoke to reporters’ at Owa-Alero, Ika North East Local Government, after the declaration of the result, attributed failure of the main opposition party, the APC, to lack of preparations. He also accused the party of being behind the violence in Ughelli North, where INEC office was torched.

    His words, “I heard about that (violence) and I have called the Commissioner of Police, he is trying to give me the full report. He has sent his Area Commander to find out what happened. I heard that some thugs of the APC actually moved into the DSIEC office to set fire on some electoral materials. But, I don’t have a full report of that now until I am briefed by the Commissioner of Police.”

    In a swift reaction, the APC Chairman, Mr. Jones Erue, called for a total cancellation of the polls, alleging manipulation at different stage of the electoral process.

    Erue said sensitive election materials were not delivered as expected to most of the polling units where the actual elections were due to take place.

    He said instances where materials were even delivered, they did not arrive on time, as most of them were hijacked and re-directed along the way.

    He added that result sheets did not accompany the materials in most of the local governments.

    Erue said in the places where result sheets were produced, they were in sharp contrast with the samples that were presented to party officials during the DSIEC training exercise.

    The APC chair said many Returning Officers were not at the polling units to conduct the elections, nor to announce the outcome.

    He said “a DSIEC Returning Officer at Ozoro in Isoko North Local Government Area was arrested at a hotel annex in Ozoro, facilitating illegal thumb-printing of votes and was handed over to the Nigeria Police at Ozoro”.

    He said violence marred the elections in a large number of local governments and wards where election was due to take place, adding  that the DSIEC Office at Ughelli was burnt down while election materials were not yet issued out.

    His words: “We are not shocked by the outcome of the election, because we had issued out a note of caution previously, warning about the possibility of the active connivance between DSIEC and PDP officials or agents.

    “Our party was very well prepared for peaceful elections. Unfortunately, the people were let down. But, more importantly, DSIEC demonstrated to the whole world that it is not yet able to deliver such an onerous responsibility for conducting peaceful elections on behalf of the people. We recall that the PDP had been boastful that the APC was not on ground in the state. However, this election has proven that to be completely false. The bastardization of this simple election that ought to be peaceful shows that the PDP is now a dying party in the state and that they were totally amazed by the level of preparedness, organization and mobilization that the APC mustered across the state. There is no doubt that the PDP is now experiencing a backlash from the masses, given the overall poor performance by its Council Officials and the state government that oversees the councils.

    “In all of this, we are most saddened that during the process of this election, at least three of our members were shot in Ughelli South, and not less than a dozen others were cut with machetes and injured by PDP thugs, just as numerous vehicles were damaged. We wish these gallant ones swift recovery in the weeks ahead, just as we extend our deepest appreciation to them for standing up for what is right and just. We stand with them in their pain and by God’s grace, timely recovery.

    “It is disheartening that the people of Delta State have been robbed once again of their constitutional and inalienable right to freely pick leaders of their choice. This is a crime against the people and the day is nearer when the PDP will have no choice but to beckon to the voices of the people who are tired of the poverty that the PDP has inflicted upon them over the years.”

    The Executive Director, Centre for the Vulnerable and Underprivileged (CENTREP), Mr. Oghenejabor Ikimi, also condemned the polls.

    He passed a vote of no confidence on the electoral body, stressing that the credibility of DSIEC was at stake.

    He said: “The election was shambolic. If government knew it was not ready to hold an election, why waste public funds? The election was a selection exercise. I know that the last election cost the state over N700 million, so this one may have cost tax payers more. There was no result sheet in Ughelli South and Udu local government areas. Deltans were at the polling units prepared to perform their civic duties, while some persons were busy writing results. The government is gradually killing elections at the grassroots, because of greed. The credibility of DSIEC is at stake. I am joining other vulnerable, oppressed, suppressed, voiceless, underprivileged Nigerian masses in Delta State to pass a vote of no confidence on DSIEC.”

    But Governor Okowa said the opposition was finding it convenient to blame DSIEC for their poor preparations.

    He said he directed that there should be a credible electoral process, adding: “I believe we have done our best to ensure a free and fair process and we hope that we able to get things right.”

    Delta PDP Chairman, Mr.  Kingsley Esiso, dismissed allegations of electoral malpractices leveled against his party, adding that the PDP won on the strength of the performance of Governor Okowa and the character and capability of candidates fielded.

    His words: “The truth of the matter is that the election was conducted in a free and fair manner. The PDP was involved in a vigorous campaign around the nooks and crannies of the state, led by the Governor and myself. Everybody saw it.

    “But, the APC were sleeping in their houses, expecting that manna will fall from heaven. Fortunately, election is about the people. The PDP campaign was based on the strength of the performance of the Gov. Okowa and government of Delta State, we campaigned based on the character and capability of the candidates we fielded and of course they refused to accept even before the election that they had lost because they did not campaign.

    “Take it from me that the election was freely conducted and that the PDP won fair and square. Elections are taking place as we speak in the two local government areas where it was initially postponed. The APC is calling for cancellation of the polls on what basis?”

    Analysts believe the 2018 local government polls in Delta State is a dress rehearsal for the 2019 govwernorship election, with many expressing apprehension, following the spate of violence that characterised the local polls.