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Tag: Delta

  • Delta APC lauds Tinubu over Nigeria’s IMF debt repayment

    Delta APC lauds Tinubu over Nigeria’s IMF debt repayment

    The Delta APC has lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the full repayment of Nigeria’s debt to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), describing it as a landmark financial victory and a bold symbol of Nigeria’s renewed economic sovereignty.

    In a statement signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Valentine Onojeghuo, the party commended the Tinubu administration for what it termed “a strategic reset of Nigeria’s economic narrative,” affirming that the President has “restored the dignity of the Nigerian nation and positioned her as a re-emerging economic powerhouse.”

    Part of the statement reads, “The All Progressives Congress (APC), Delta State under the chairmanship of Elder Omeni Sobotie, proudly extends its warmest congratulations to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, on the remarkable economic milestones achieved under his visionary Renewed Hope Agenda.”

    It said the repayment of the IMF debt, which led to Nigeria’s removal from the list of indebted countries, was not just a financial transaction, but a “defining moment” in the Tinubu administration’s efforts to re-engineer the economy.

    “This singular accomplishment, under the firm and competent stewardship of President Tinubu, is not only a financial triumph but a powerful statement of Nigeria’s resurgence as a sovereign economic powerhouse,” the statement added.

    Read Also: Tinubu launches national action plan on violence against children

    It further emphasized the ripple effect of the President’s bold economic actions, stating: “These decisive fiscal disciplines, bold monetary policies and sweeping diversification efforts have sparked unprecedented economic growth, reinvigorated our productive sectors and repositioned Nigeria as a destination of choice for global investment.”

    According to the party, these policies are “not abstract projections; they are felt daily in communities across our nation.”

    Delta APC also used the moment to stress that President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda has birthed “initiatives that support local enterprise, agricultural expansion, digital innovation, infrastructure renewal and youth empowerment,” adding that the economic transformation is both measurable and people-oriented.

  • Delta seeks collective efforts for enhanced security

    Delta seeks collective efforts for enhanced security

    The Delta State Waterways and Land Security Committee has called for collective efforts to effectively enhance internal security in the country.

    Chief Boro Opudu, the chairman of the committee, made the call while hosting students of the 2025 Senior Course 47 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, on Thursday in Warri.

    The students led by Brig-Gen. Al-hassan Grema, Director of Coordination, Senior Course 47 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, were on a tour themed, “Harnessing Grassroots Intelligence for Enhanced Internal Security.”

    Read Also: 2027: Delta Arewa community endorses Tinubu, Oborevwori

    The chairman who was represented by Mr Ediri Otovie, Asst. Director (Admin)/Head of Administration, Delta Waterways and Land Security Committee said, “All hands must be on deck to enhance internal security in communities, local government areas, states and the nation, by providing intelligence which is the driver of every operation of security agencies.”

    Describing the theme as apt, Opudu emphasised the importance of security in society, noting that it was what informed the State Government’s establishment of the Committee.

    Noting that the state had been confronted with plethora of peace and security breaches such as youth restiveness, kidnapping, armed robbery, pipeline vandalism, illegal bunkering among others, Opudu said that Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori in his wisdom decided to constitute the committee to address the perennial insecurity in the state.

    “Security is a major concern in the society, it is a critical sector that affects everyone, hence the roles of various stakeholders are need.

    “The Delta State Waterways and Land Security Committee is made up of community leaders, stakeholders, and youths who are familiar with the riverine and land terrain of the state.

    “The committee is expected to send early warning signals to the appropriate security agencies in case of a breach to ensure the state’s land and rivers are safe for the populace and investors.

    “The committee is mandated to assist the government in checking activities of miscreants, hoodlums and kidnappers, as well as protection of lives and properties in the state,” he said.

    Responding, Brig.-Gen. Grema noted the need for security agencies in the state to work closely with the committee, just as he thanked the committee for receiving them.

  • NBM of Africa donates solar borehole to Delta community

    NBM of Africa donates solar borehole to Delta community

    Neo-Black Movement (NBM) of Africa Worldwide has empowered residents of Abah-Unor community in Aniocha South Local Area, Delta State with solar motorised bole hole system to cushion the effects of water scarcity in the community and its environs.

    This humanitarian gesture has put a stop to the plights of the people in the community who had to walk over three kilometers to source for stream water for drinking and domestic purposes for several decades.

    Speaking at the commissioning ceremony of the project in the community, Deputy National President, NBM of Africa, Chief Eribo Emwanta, who represented the National President Olorogun Ese Kakor, lauded the United Arab Emirate (UAE) chapter of the body for coming back home to initiate such a  project saying, the initiative shows continued  sustainable development and empowerment for  the grassroot.

    According to him, the solar borehole water project would help to ameliorate the suffering of the community, adding that access to clean water is necessary for life and expressed optimism that  the water would enhance the quality of the life of the people. 

    He charged them to manage the borehole responsibly as successful management will make them to have other developmental projects in the community.

    He said:” This project is giving back to the community. The people are happy because, they now have water and water is life. I think this is the only borehole in the community at the moment and it is worth 16 million Naira or so, it is solely sponsored by members of the organization by our little contributions  and donations  and we are building the future”.

    He charged them to take  good care of the project to make it stand the test  of time.

    Responding, the traditional ruler of the community, HRH Obi Innocent Maduabunachukwu 11,  expressed gratitude for the organisation for the initiative, adding that, the solar system would eliminate dependence on generator, saying, it would enable the borehole operate consistently with minimum maintenance cost.

    On his part, the Country’s  President, NBM of Africa, UAE chapter, Prince David Mekoma said, the initiative is part of the organization’s corporate social responsibility, sustainability and to enhance the quality of life of  the various communities adding that, the project has its significance as it is aimed at improving the living standards of the people.

    Read Also: NBM of Africa felicitates President on humanitarian recognition award

    According to him, the risk of contacting water borne disease in the community would be a thing of the past as they have clean source of  water.

    Some members of the community expressed gratitude to the organisation for the project adding, by this, the organization has contributed to the social and economic life of the people.

    They urged the community to protect the project to enable it stand the test of time. They pray God to bless them for providing this laudable project cited in the community.

    The climax of the ceremony was  the presentation of 200 exercise books and other writing materials for the pupils of Champions nursery and primary school.

    The materials were meant to enhance the students academic works, especially in the government schools

  • Delta eruptions: Rethinking Atiku’s 2023 defeat

    Delta eruptions: Rethinking Atiku’s 2023 defeat

    The massive defections enacted in Delta State by elected Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) officials on April 23 have inadvertently triggered the rethinking of former vice president Atiku Abubakar’s 2023 presidential election loss. Immediately after President Bola Tinubu was declared winner of the election, the PDP candidate and many of his supporters cried foul, swearing that their party lost unfairly by an indeterminate stratagem orchestrated by the APC candidate and his supporters. The PDP candidate, not to say the Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, anchored the loss on the APC candidate’s alleged lack of integrity and academic qualifications. Ignoring the argument that pre-election matters could not vitiate an election victory, the PDP went ahead to spend inordinate amount of resources and devoted huge social media, advertisement, and legal campaigns within and outside the country to prove that the APC lost. They pilloried the judiciary, stridently called for a coup d’état, while protesters and labour unions orchestrated industrial unrest and intensified a massive movement for unconstitutional change.

    For more than 15 or 16 months, there was no let up in the effort to stir up a national revolt. Despite the clear statistical import of the voting outcomes, in which the PDP and LP split the votes, not to say the PDP which was split into three factions going into the election, the exponents of the protests appeared convinced that there was no way the APC candidate could have won. They simply ignored statistics, and even tried to rewrite constitutional provisions undergirding the polls. Unperturbed by, or perhaps unaware of, the eerie danger of reenacting the 1993 presidential election with all its unpredictable and attendant tragic consequences, former president Olusegun Obasanjo weighed in by calling for the abortion of ballot collation. But shortly after the electoral umpire declared the winner, he called for mass action. He was also convinced that the APC did not win. However, nearly two years later, the same Chief Obasanjo began calling for a coalition of political parties to defeat the APC, suggesting that the balkanisation of the PDP led to its loss, and a merger or coalition of parties would do the magic.

    The man at the centre of the massive legal and social media challenge to the poll outcome, Alhaji Atiku, also recanted and began to campaign for a coalition to unseat the APC at the presidential level. The former PDP candidate’s pursuit of a powerful or mega coalition presupposes that he has finally succumbed to the logic that his loss was a result of the factionalisation of the party on which platform he contested the poll. He has not openly admitted that reality, but his actions indicate it. If he thought his loss was unrelated to the size and unity of his party, which he is projected to abandon soon for giving him cold shoulder on the coalition subject, he would not be advocating for coalition partners to unseat the APC. His search for a coalition, which he is pursuing without getting a consensus from the PDP, has, however, put him at cross-purposes with his party. His fellow party men, including many of the party’s governors, had whispered but are now saying it openly that they lost the 2023 poll, not because of any rigging by the APC, but because over the years, and unknown to their standard-bearer, he had become jaded and unelectable. They decry the idea of a coalition, and insist that had they reformed their party and respected their own zoning arrangement, they could have won. It has taken the Delta defections to welcome some of these reappraisals.

    Read Also: No grudge against Okowa over defection – Atiku

    No one voices this new reality so powerfully like former running mate to Alhaji Atiku in the 2023 poll, Ifeanyi Okowa, a former Delta State governor. In a remark last week, he asserted that Alhaji Atiku lost the poll because the party violated its own zoning arrangement, a violation he claimed he now regretted because he did not realise it was so overwhelming during the poll. According to him, “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, and I had been nominated. Still, in retrospect, I now believe I should have gone with the will of my people.” He attributed this alienation to the loss of his state during the presidential election and the regaining of the same during the governorship poll.

    Senate minority leader Abba Moro did not dispute the PDP’s loss of the election in his response to Dr Okowa’s recrimination. Reflecting on the new reality suffusing his party, the PDP, from top to bottom, Sen. Moro instead argued that it was in fact the selection of the former Delta State governor that caused the loss of the party’s presidential bid. He was unsparing: “It’s unfortunate today that at his level, having been a senator and governor before on the platform of the PDP, I think it’s uncharitable for him to be expressing regret about being the party’s running mate. He was not forced. He asked for it, and he was given…With the hindsight that we have now, some of us think that the party would have won the election if another candidate — other than Okowa — had been picked as the vice-presidential candidate from the South…I think there was an error of judgment on the part of everybody that was involved in the choice of Okowa as the candidate.”

    It has taken nearly two years of massive shifts in the polity, including defections and factionalisation, and the final realisation that no amount of threats to the republic would cause the collapse of the government, to compel opposition party leaders to accept their loss, whether they like President Tinubu or not. They have also slowly begun to accept the need to re-examine their methods and tactics, which failed them in 2023. It has taken the Delta defections to unearth uncomfortable truths many PDP leaders knew but were reluctant to voice out. But more than 15 or 16 months of living in denial, not to talk of the rebellion they irresponsibly tried to foment, the PDP thankfully failed to provoke anarchy, fracture the country, and orchestrate the collapse of the country in a replay of the 1993 tragedies that cost hundreds of life, birthed two dictatorships, and set the democratic clock back by decades.

  • Defection: Delta APC stalwart urges Oborevwori to embrace old, new members

    Defection: Delta APC stalwart urges Oborevwori to embrace old, new members

    Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has been urged to carry both old and new members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) along following his defection, alongside the entire Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) structure in Delta State, to the ruling party.

    A top APC chieftain and National Leader of the Southern Youth Movement (SYM), High Chief Promise Lawuru, popularly known as “Ozigizaga,” made the call during a press conference in Warri on Monday.

    Lawuru emphasised that every Nigerian has the constitutional right to freedom of association and advised Governor Oborevwori to create a strategic framework that accommodates all members of the party.

    He said, “Nigeria is operating a multiparty system, so people should not use the developments within the PDP and APC to judge the country’s political landscape. For instance, in every general election, almost 30 political parties participate, which shows that Nigeria cannot operate a one-party system.”

    Commenting on the mass defection, Lawuru described it as part of democratic dynamics, saying: “What you are seeing today—the mass defections from PDP to APC—are ingredients of democracy; everyone has freedom of association, and that is exactly what has taken place.”

    Read Also: JUST IN: Shettima receives Oborevwori, Okowa, PDP members to APC in Delta

    While welcoming Governor Oborevwori and his team to the APC, Lawuru advised, “My words to the governor are for him to apply wisdom in addressing party matters and in the governance of the state.”

    “In line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, we must prioritise unity and collaboration. Therefore, he should see everyone as one big family because the current situation of the governor is like someone with two wives; if you want to cheat the senior for the junior, there will be a fight. And if you want to cheat the junior for the senior, there will be trouble.

    “So, he (Oborevwori) should design a methodology to take along the old members of the APC and the new members in an equal manner.”

  • JUST IN: Shettima receives Oborevwori, Okowa, PDP members to APC in Delta

    JUST IN: Shettima receives Oborevwori, Okowa, PDP members to APC in Delta

    It was a carnival-like atmosphere on Monday in Asaba, the Delta State capital, as a massive crowd of Deltans gathered to witness Vice President Kashim Shettima formally receive Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the entire Delta State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The Cenotaph, venue of the event, was transformed into a sea of yellow — the signature colour of Governor Oborevwori’s political family — as party faithful turned out in their thousands, defying the scorching sun to dance and celebrate to music blaring from strategically positioned loudspeakers.

    The grand event attracted an array of dignitaries, including APC National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, 16 APC governors, members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), federal lawmakers, and ministers.

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by Vice President Shettima, described the political realignment as a “tsunami of unimaginable proportions,” praising Governor Oborevwori and immediate past Governor Senator Ifeanyi Okowa for their statesmanship and the unity displayed in leading the defection to the APC.

    Tinubu commended the cordial relationship between the two Delta leaders, expressing confidence that their move would strengthen the APC’s dominance and foster greater political stability in the state and the nation at large.

    He said: “What can be greater than the promise of this day. This is a political tsunami of unimaginable proportions that has never happened in the history of the South-South region and barely in the history of this country.

    “A political tsunami of this proportion has never happened where all the members of the upper chamber of the National Assembly are in the APC.

    “The Speaker and all the members of the House of Assembly. So many members of the House of Representatives, the Governor and his entire cabinet, and 500 councillors across the 25 local government areas of this great state. What testimony do you have greater than this?

    “The true measure of a political party lies not merely in the industry, the very name of its members, but in the conviction. It is, in fact, among those who once stood across from them.

    “This vindication is even more fundamental. When those who once saw us as outsiders and opponents crossed the lines of difference to become part of the enduring family we have built.

    “This historic day, therefore, is both a celebration of the enduring promise of the APC and a tribute to the vision, courage, and foresight of the great giants we have come to welcome into the hall of fame of our political party, along with their devoted followers who are joining us today.

    “I want to pay special tribute to Senator Ifeanyi Okowa for the wonderful relationship that exists between him and his successor

    “Senator Okowa, you are indeed a great leader and Governor Oborevwori, for embracing him, for treating him with respect and decorum, you are even a greater leader,” he said.

    “We are here with our unshaken belief in the power of collaboration, the understanding that we are stronger together than we can ever be apart.

    “What sets the APC apart is not an illusion of uniformity; it is our accepting that differences are inevitable and that greatness lies in managing them.

    “Our tables have always been tables of dialogue, places where every member, no matter how big or small, is welcome to air their grievances.

    “Your Excellencies, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and the other great men and women, we welcome you to the APC today.

    “I bring them the warm assurance of His Excellency President Bola, Ahmed Tendul, GCFR, and all members of the APC.

    “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.

    “You have brought to us a wealth of experience, a breath of wisdom and a measure of strength for which we shall always remain grateful.

    “This is a declaration that the strength of our great nation is alive, a spirit that brings your ambition, your party alliance and sees the larger set of history.

    “Nigeria is greater than all of us, and what we do here today is a step towards strengthening our promise. We welcome you, Your Excellency, not as defectors but as brothers and sisters who have found your rightful place amongst us.

    “We welcome you not as guests but as family, we welcome you as fellow architects of a better Nigeria and may this day be remembered not just by what it signifies today but for the enduring fraternity and vision of source for tomorrow.”

    Responding, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori described the defection as a historic movement in the best interest of the state.

    He pledged to unify the party to ensure total victory for the party in the coming elections.

    “What you have seen here today is a movement, it’s not a defection, it’s a movement. We have done consultation with the National Assembly, with leadership, with stakeholders at the state level, at the senatorial level, at the local government level, at the ward level, and we all decided that we must all join.”

    “This is Delta state we cannot carry last, when we stand for something we remain committed to it, we have been in opposition for almost 10 years.

    “Do we need that? Mr. President has supported us, he has shown us love. We cannot face him in 2027 to work against him. The love that he has shown to us in Delta State, we need to reciprocate it.

    “We cannot do it in our own party. You have to be inside to do it, and to do it well. We have to do it at our party.

    “When you consult widely, you see everybody will come with you, and you can see that the love is organic, you can see my relationship with governors, you see all the governors here

    you see the large numbers of governors yesterday 9 came yesterday and slept today see all of them here I want to bless all of you. I want to thank all of you.

    This is a movement, this is not defection. We have agreed we will move together and when we move together, what is in the national we will be able to grab it.

    “Our members in the National Assembly they are all the next, they have agreed they will all defect on the floor of the house.  Mr Speaker and we have justification to move.

    “All of us want to be in the Renew Hope Agenda, which is in line with my MORE Agenda.

    “For us in Delta State, it’s a statement, and I believe other governors will join because it’s a movement, and when you have a movement, you don’t fail.

    “There are some things people say in the newspaper, that there is confusion, there is a faction.

    “As I have come, there will be no faction again. Let me tell you, APC is not like PDP. The Governor takes charge, and we are taking charge.

    “I don’t believe in any faction, everybody must queue and we will unite the party to move this state forward for the benefit of our people and to bring development, peace and unity to our state and Nigeria.”

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, applauded the cordial relationship between the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and his predecessor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.

    Ganduje said the National Working Committee of the party was highly impressed because of the cordial relationship existing between the predecessor and successor which, according to him, is very difficult see in the country.

    “So, we have to thank Dr. Okowa for that good relationship. Ladies and gentlemen, my job is very important, which is accepting, welcoming, and also embracing the Governor and the people of Delta State into our great party, the APC.

    “Mr. Governor, what l would like to tell you while accepting you into our party, is that our core value in APC is progressive leadership and coincidentally, from what we have seen on the ground in respect of your programmes and your projects, you are a progressive Governor.

    “So, we are welcoming you for coming home. We believe in progressive ideas, we believe in proximity, interacting with different levels of our party; we believe in openness, we believe in internal democracy, we believe in self accountability and we thank you for coming in,” he said.

    Read Also: Shettima arrives Asaba to receive Oborevwori into APC fold

    Earlier, the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, said the ceremony was quite historic and special in the life of the APC as a political party in Nigeria.

    Senator Uzodinma who disclosed that members of the APC were happy with the new political development in Delta State, said that the All Progressives Congress meant well for the country.

    “We are here to identify with you. We, therefore, urged all Deltans to continue to support their Governor as he consolidates on the achievements his administration has recorded so far,” he added.

    On his part, the immediate past Governor of the State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, explained that the decision to change political direction was made for the common good and in the best interest of the state.

    “It was not about personal ambitions but the need to connect to Abuja, where significant goodwill and resources exist, especially since the state is a major contributor.

    Reflecting on his experience as a former governor in opposition, Okowa emphasised that while Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is performing well, aligning with Abuja would strengthen his efforts.

    “After thorough consultations with stakeholders, it was clear that a bold, strategic, and patriotic move was necessary for the state’s future.”

    He stressed the importance of unity among all members, both old and new, encouraging everyone to embrace each other and work together with a shared purpose.

    He called for strong support for both the President and the Governor, believing that this unity would allow them to dominate the political landscape of Delta State. 

  • Troops arrest 23 suspected oil thieves, recover 180,000 litres of stolen products

    Troops arrest 23 suspected oil thieves, recover 180,000 litres of stolen products

    Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army (NA) in partnership with other security agencies have arrested 23 suspected oil thieves and confiscated 180,000 stolen products across the Niger Delta region.

    Confirming the development in Port Harcourt on Monday, the acting deputy director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, said the troops destroyed 13 illegal refineries in the region.

    Danjuma said in Rivers State, around Orachi/Okolomade general area in Abua/Odual Local Government Area (LGA), the troops confiscated over 45,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) in sacks, concealed at different locations in the forest.

    He said the operatives destroyed an active illegal refining site around Obiafo in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA) and recovered over 28,000 litres of stolen crude in two reservoirs.

    Danjuma confirmed that one suspect was arrested in the area while others fled on sighting troops, saying an 800-meter-long hose and a pumping machine were recovered.

    He said the troops conducted an operation around Peterside Community in Bonny LGA, where an illegal refining site was uncovered, with three pots and receivers and over 10,000 litres of stolen products recovered.

    He said: “Similarly, in a snap operation conducted along Obrikom—Omoku, two wooden boats conveying over 3,000 litres of illegally refined AGO were intercepted.

    “Meanwhile, seven suspected oil thieves were apprehended in connection with the heinous crime. The ongoing clearance operations at the fringes of the Imo River are progressing with several illegal refining sites, drum pots, and receivers taken out.”

    In Akwa Ibom State, Danjuma said following credible intelligence, troops intercepted a tanker truck with registration number 1430 LA filled with 39,994 litres of stolen products along the Itu – Calabar highway in Itu LGA.

    He said two suspected oil thieves were arrested in connection with the seizure, adding that an investigation led to the discovery of fake waybill papers possessing criminal elements.

    He said a similar operation was also conducted along Abak-Ikomima road in Uyo LGA and led to the interception of a truck with registration number 22689 LA laden with 39,985 litres of stolen crude.

    Read Also: Troops arrest 23 oil thieves, seize 67,000 litres of stolen products in Niger Delta

    “The products were also said to be conveyed with fake papers. Closely related was a sting operation conducted at Ibio Ndot Community in Orok Anam LGA, where troops discovered 103 nylon bags filled with over 3,090 litres of illegally refined AGO concealed in a Cassava farm”, he said.

    Danjuma said that in Bayelsa State, around Biseni in Yenagoa Local Government Area (YELGA), troops discovered an illegal refining site with over 2,600 litres of AGO in sacks.

    He said that in the Adibawa area, also in YELGA, over 2,500 litres of stolen crude and 1,100 litres of illegally refined AGO in sacks were recovered.

    “Also, recovered were eight wheelbarrows used for the illicit activities. This was in addition to six suspected oil thieves arrested at the scene”, he said.

    He quoted the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Eric Emekah, calling on troops to sustain the pressure on all forms of economic sabotage in the region. 

  • Defection: Challenges in PDP will not advance development of Delta – Aniagwu

    Defection: Challenges in PDP will not advance development of Delta – Aniagwu

    Delta Government has said that the challenges currently being faced by the PDP, particularly at the national, necessitated the decamping of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and others to the ruling APC.

    The state’s Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu disclosed this, in a statement, on Saturday in Asaba.

    Aniagwu said that remaining in the PDP due to the challenges would not advance the development of Delta and its people.

    He said, “The decision to leave the party was carefully and primarily taken to avoid leading the state and its citizens into a bleak future, similar to the experience of Zamfara State.

    “You will recall that since 1999, when the current Republic began, the PDP has held sway in Delta and made significant inroads in the state.

    “In Delta, the PDP was actually strong before our decision to move. So, it’s not a question of the PDP being weak in Delta that led to this development.

    “I am very sure we have followed the developments at the national level of the party.

    “The last straw was when the party’s governors met in Ibadan and decided not to collaborate or merge with anyone. Instead, they invited others to join the PDP.

    “That decision did not come from a position of strength, especially given the issues affecting the party’s vital organs.

    “You may also recall what happened to the APC in Zamfara in 2019, where all elected candidates were removed due to irregularities in the party’s nomination processes.

    “With what is happening in the PDP, we believe the efforts to address these issues are not strong enough to prevent a similar situation in 2027.”

    The commissioner also said that the defection to the APC was also driven by the desire to further strengthen the relationship and cooperation with the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu.

    “The present administration has been fair in bringing development to Delta.

    “I am discussing the situation as it affects us in Delta, other states may have different views, but we have evidence that the Tinubu administration is bringing projects to our state.

    “The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, has visited Delta twice to show support for our people. This development, along with issues in the PDP, led the party leaders in Delta to chart a new course.

    “This was not just the governor’s decision, but a collective one.

    “In a democracy, the majority view matters, and PDP leaders and stakeholders in Delta called on the political family to join the APC to advance the growth and development of our state.

    “The people felt the PDP no longer offered a viable political future, and they did not want to fade into political irrelevance, hence the move,” he said.

    Read Also: Oil theft: private security personnel, others get training on non- violence strategy in Delta

    Aniagwu advised critics, particularly the PDP leaders;  Sen. Bukola Saraki and Chief Olabode George to refrain from commenting, especially when their past actions contributed to the fragmentation of the PDP.

    According to him, you will recall that in 2023, some leaders openly opposed the party’s presidential candidate.

    “Nonetheless, we ask them to be understanding because, ultimately, politics is local.

    “This move is to ensure the continued progress and welfare of our people, which is why we are in politics in the first place.”

    He appealed to party members to work together to ensure unity and electoral success both in the state and across the country.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on April 23, Gov. Oborevwori, his predecessor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, and the entire state  PDP structure defected the ruling APC.

    (NAN)

  • Delta mass defection to APC painful, shocking, Damagum laments

    Delta mass defection to APC painful, shocking, Damagum laments

    The acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Umar Ilyas Damagum, has expressed deep disappointment over the wave of defections of party and state government officials in Delta State to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing it as both painful and shocking.

    “It’s their decision, but the pain remains with us—not for personal reasons, but because of the immense support we’ve given Delta State. From backing the current governor to supporting his predecessor, who also ran as our Vice Presidential candidate, we least expected this kind of betrayal,” Damagum lamented.

    He made the remarks at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja during the presentation of the party’s Certificate of Return to Architect Jude Ezenwafor, the sole aspirant and candidate for the November 8 Anambra State governorship election.

    Damagum, joined by the acting National Secretary, Architect Setonji Koshoedo, National Legal Adviser Alhaji Kamaldeen Ajibade, and National Organizing Secretary Captain Bature Umar (rtd), also expressed concern over the ruling APC’s political maneuvers, which he said were destabilizing the opposition and creating a difficult environment for the PDP.

    “You may have your own tactics but you cannot outplay God, we leave our faith in the hands of God and we believe He will help us out of this great situation,” he stated.

    According to Damagum who assured the PDP governorship candidate of victory, the extremely reduced interest in struggling for the PDP governorship ticket that Ezenwafor won as an unopposed candidate has also manifested such first-time peaceful process that indicate very bright prospects.

    “For the first time, a PDP governorship candidate emerged in Anambra in a rancour-free process and this is also the first time that we got a state executive that emerged from the state congress without a single court order; this shows that we are now getting it right in Anambra.

    “You see, if God wants to help you, he takes out all the thorns along the way and I know that we now have one united party in Anambra today; your commitment, belief and sincerity would see us through this election, victory would be yours.

    “You have started well, from the evolution of the state executive to your emergence as our candidate, I think what you need to do is to go back and consolidate by going to make sure that everyone comes back on board; I assure you of our total support and commitment,” he told Ezenwafor.

    Speaking further on the mass media’s interest in hearing PDP’s response to the developments in Delta state, Damagum emphasized that there is need for party members to renew their hope in God towards overcoming the APC threat in 2027 general elections.

    “I know that Nigerians are eager to hear from us about what happened to the PDP in Delta state: it is very sad and unfortunate because to me, if there’s any state that should think that way, it should not have been Delta, because the party has been very magnanimous to them but I thank God that they have not said that the party did anything wrong to them other than good.

    “All the same, this is a party that has seen more than that, but ii’s still standing and I want to use this opportunity to say, we’ll take over our structures immediately by setting up a caretaker team; we are still taking stocks and we will do that immediately.

    “I also want to enjoin our members, both in Delta and other parts of the country, I want to remind us about what happened in 2023: the PDP can still make it!. 

    “Peter Obi had no governor but he muscled those votes that he muscled so, this election in 2027 will not be about how many governors you have or how many (party) leaders; it’s about Tinubu versus Nigerians and they will give him the result before 12 noon on voting day because you can coerce, persuade, and intimidate our members to support you but the ordinary man is feeling the pinch and the decision is his.

    “So I want to use this opportunity to tell Nigerians that it is their election, it is APC versus Nigerians; it is not APC versus any governor or Senator but APC versus Nigerians.

    “I want to urge all of us to close ranks and rescue ourselves from this hardship that is inflicted on us by design, not any coincidence; policies are meant for people, not animals but they made policies that are not yielding good results for the ordinary people.

    “People should not be deterred, we will experience a lot of challenges but there is no challenge that is insurmountable; I thank God that we are all people of faith, we know that there is a limit to whatever one can do other than what God has designed,” Damagum stated.

    Read Also: PDP crisis: Damagum raises the alarm over resignation rumour

    In his speech, Ezenwafor who was accompanied by his wife, members of in PDP State Working Committee Anambra state and campaign officials assured Damagum that he was going home to consolidate and win the November 8 governorship election, adding that governors from other states across Nigeria will soon be coming to learn governance strategies from his exemplary leadership in Anambra State.

    “After my elections, all other governors will come and take lessons, especially on the way to do their own security; as a former Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on security, I will not take things for granted.

    “I appreciate your fatherly support, but I want to tell all of us here that PDP Anambra State is a PDP state; all of us contesting the governorship election in Anambra State today, including the serving governor were once governorship aspirants within the PDP but as a bridge-builder, I will consolidate and move forward,” Ezenwafor stated.

  • UPDATED: Delta Gov Oborevwori defects from PDP to APC

    UPDATED: Delta Gov Oborevwori defects from PDP to APC

    Delta State Governor Chief Sheriff Oborevwori has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The announcement was made on Wednesday at a press briefing following a gathering of PDP leaders and stakeholders in Asaba.

    Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural) and Public Communications, Charles Aniagwu, stated that the decision to defect was reached unanimously by the party’s leaders and stakeholders, emphasising the importance of this move for the overall development of the state.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Delta Governor Oborevwori dumps PDP, defects to APC

    He stated that a “significant announcement” concerning the PDP’s transition to the APC will be made by Monday.

    He clarified that consultations had been ongoing, which led to the defection.

    He emphasised that the change was due to “the state of politics in the PDP”, pointing out that the decision was reached collectively, rather than being an individual choice.