Delta State Governor defects to Nigeria’s ruling party, signaling a major power shift in South-South politics ahead of 2027.
IDNN Political Desk | April 23, 2025
[ASABA] — In a move that has reshaped the South-South political landscape, Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The shock announcement followed a closed-door meeting held at the Delta Government House in Asaba on Wednesday evening, attended by senior APC national figures. The defection marks a significant blow to the PDP’s longstanding dominance in the oil-rich state and raises high-stakes questions about the 2027 general elections.
“This move was not made lightly,” said the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Festus Ahon. “Governor Oborevwori remains committed to the prosperity of Delta State. Aligning with the APC at the federal level offers better collaboration for growth and greater dividends of democracy.”
The defection was confirmed barely hours after a viral video of the governor with APC leaders sparked speculation about his political future.
From Mandate to Migration: PDP’s 2023 Governor Joins APC
Elected under the PDP in the 2023 gubernatorial election, Oborevwori defeated opposition candidates to emerge as governor of Delta State. His sudden shift to the ruling APC has caught political observers off-guard.
Political commentators view the defection as a strategic recalibration, potentially positioning the governor as a key southern player in Nigeria’s 2027 presidential race, or within a broader national coalition.
“This is not just a state-level move—it has national implications,” said Dr. Grace Idowu, senior political analyst at the Centre for Democratic Reform. “The APC is rebuilding in regions once considered PDP strongholds.”
Viral Video Confirmed: What Was Once Dismissed Is Now Reality
The development confirms speculation that emerged earlier in the week after a video showing Oborevwori with APC stalwarts circulated online. At the time, the governor’s aides dismissed it as “old and misleading.”
Wednesday’s event, however, featured several APC national officials arriving in convoy and engaging in what sources described as final negotiations before the formal defection was announced.
A Blow to PDP in the South-South
Delta State has historically stood as a PDP fortress. Oborevwori’s exit now threatens the party’s control across Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River, where political loyalties are being tested.
PDP officials have yet to issue a public response, though insiders say the defection may trigger factional realignments within the state’s political structure.
External Context and Historical Linkages
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For background on past PDP-to-APC defections, see ThisDay’s 2023 Defection Report.
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To understand Delta’s strategic importance, read the NBS Economic Contribution by State 2024.
Thought-Provoking Conclusion: A Test of Voters’ Memory or Mandate?
Oborevwori’s defection raises critical questions for Nigeria’s democratic integrity:
Can a governor elected under one party morally or legally switch allegiance without seeking a renewed mandate from voters? Should defecting executives be made to re-contest their seats?
“This is a breach of trust,” said Barr. Onome Ehizoya, a constitutional lawyer. “Democracy is built on loyalty to both party and people. You cannot have the mandate of one and the machinery of another.”
With more governors and lawmakers likely to reassess their party affiliations ahead of 2027, Oborevwori’s leap could be the beginning of another political domino. The PDP, once Nigeria’s political superpower, must now face the possibility of bleeding more influence to the APC.
In a country where defections are often rewarded more than punished, this may not be the last political earthquake—and the Nigerian electorate may soon be asked to pick between performance and party loyalty once again.