Delta State witnessed a major political realignment on Wednesday as Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and all members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The dramatic development was announced in Asaba after a marathon meeting at the Government House that lasted over six hours.
Senator James Manager broke the news, revealing that the decision was unanimous among PDP leaders and officeholders.
“All PDP members in the state, including the governor, former Governor Okowa, the Speaker, the state party chairman, all the local government chairmen and others, have agreed to move to the APC. We cannot continue to be in a sinking boat,” Manager declared.
Confirming the development, the Commissioner for Information, Mr Aniagwu Charles, emphasized the collective reasoning behind the move, pointing to a broader vision for Delta’s progress.
“There is a need for us to adjust our drinking patterns. And in adjusting that drinking pattern, we needed to make a decision that would further help to cement the development in our state, to build the court of law that has existed in our state, to further advance the cause of security and the welfare of our people, and, to a large extent, ensure that development in Delta is not truncated,” he stated.
Aniagwu added that the leadership was compelled to make a bold decision for the state’s future, likening the situation within the PDP to a palm wine that has lost its taste.
“In taking that decision, we concluded that leaving the PDP was very necessary for us to be able to collaborate and build a state that every Deltan will be proud of.”
“We believe that what is happening, and the state of the PDP, is akin to that palm wine whose taste has changed — and there was a need for us to change the drinking party.”
He hinted that a formal announcement would follow soon.
“By the grace of God, on Monday next week, we will be able to make a very big statement confirming that we are moving into the APC,” he said.
