Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State officially joined the growing list of sitting governors who have defected from one political party to another while still in office.
On Wednesday, he announced his departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and was welcomed into the All Progressives Congress (APC) by senior party figures.
Oborevwori’s political shift, while significant, follows a familiar pattern in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
Over the years, several governors have crossed party lines mid-tenure, often reshaping the political dynamics in their respective states.
Sheriff Oborevwori
Having won the 2023 governorship election under the PDP, Oborevwori’s switch to the APC was officially confirmed during a press briefing.
Senator Ebiowou Manager and Information Commissioner Aniagwu Charles described the development as one with “serious implications for 2027.”
Aminu Tambuwal
The former governor of Sokoto State has a well-documented history of political movement. He initially defected from the PDP to the APC while serving as Speaker of the House of Representatives.
In 2018, he returned to the PDP while still governor and contested for the party’s presidential ticket, which he lost to Atiku Abubakar—himself a political defector from the APC back to the PDP.
Tambuwal is not the only Sokoto leader with such a history.
Other notable defections include:
- Attahiru Bafarawa: From the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) to PDP
- Aliyu Wamakko: From PDP to APC
Abdulfatah Ahmed
The former Kwara State governor gained attention for multiple party switches.
He defected from the PDP to the APC in 2013, and later returned to the PDP in 2018.
Boni Haruna
While governing Adamawa State between 1999 and 2007, Haruna defected from the PDP to the Action Congress (AC).
Ikedi Ohakim
Ohakim was elected governor of Imo State in 2007. During his tenure, he left the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) and joined the PDP.
Murtala Nyako
Governor of Adamawa from 2007 to 2008, Nyako also changed allegiance, leaving the APC for the PDP.
Rochas Okorocha
Elected as Imo State governor in 2011 under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Okorocha later defected to the APC while still in office.
Additional defections include:
- Mahmuda Shinkafi (Zamfara): From ANPP to PDP
- Bello Matawalle (Zamfara): From PDP to APC
Several other states have witnessed similar shifts by sitting governors, including Benue, Ondo, Rivers, Cross River, Edo, Kano, Kebbi, and Jigawa.
