The political atmosphere in Delta State remains tense as several former members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who recently aligned with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his predecessor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, in a dramatic move to the All Progressives Congress (APC), have reportedly been reluctant to officially register with their new party.
Despite the high-profile defection of the two prominent political figures and their loyalists, reports from the grassroots indicate that the registration process for the defectors has encountered significant bottlenecks. Party sources disclosed that some APC ward leaders in parts of the state have been turning away the would-be members, citing the defectors’ failure to present formal resignation letters from the PDP.
This cautious approach by APC grassroots leaders has reportedly slowed down the registration process, creating friction between old APC members and the newcomers. The hesitation stems from years of political rivalry between the two parties, with many party loyalists uncertain about fully integrating recent defectors without due diligence.
Sources on the ground suggest that the exercise, which began with optimism, has now become sluggish and disjointed. Some APC ward leaders in Ughelli North, for instance, expressed frustration, noting that although registration materials have been distributed, many of the former PDP members are dragging their feet.
Mr. Obakpororo Onoabedje, the APC chairman in Ughelli North Local Government Area, confirmed that party cards had been sent to the wards to facilitate the registration of the newcomers. However, he described the turnout as disappointing and described the process as “clumsy,” pointing out that many of the defectors appeared to be waiting to see how events would unfold before making a full commitment.
Amidst the unfolding situation, the APC state leadership has had to step in to douse tensions and clear up procedural obstacles. Elder Omeni Sobotie, the APC state chairman, has directed all local government and ward officials to forgo the requirement of resignation letters from the PDP. Reinforcing this directive, APC State Publicity Secretary Mr. Valentine Onojeghuo issued a statement urging party officials to ensure an inclusive and seamless registration process, emphasizing that no bureaucratic barrier should deter the integration of the new members.
Despite this intervention, there remains a palpable atmosphere of caution and mistrust on both sides. A party insider revealed that many of the newcomers were still unsure about their political footing, given the lingering animosity between both camps prior to the defection. “The old members are suspicious of the new ones, while the new members are just watching,” the source added.
Interestingly, while some former PDP members are hesitant to fully commit to the APC, others within the PDP ranks have taken a firm stand by rejecting the defection move led by the state governor and his predecessor. This group, comprised of local PDP ward and LGA members, convened over the weekend to reaffirm their loyalty to the PDP and pledged to rebuild the party from the grassroots.
Speaking on the internal reorganization efforts, Elder Emmanuel Ogidi, Chairman of the PDP Zonal Caretaker Committee for the South-South, stated that the process of setting up a caretaker executive in Delta State is already in motion and should be completed within a month. He added that he had issued instructions to PDP supporters across the state to remain open and continue registering members until the end of the caretaker formation process.
Governor Oborevwori, at the defection event held last week in Asaba, described the move as more than just a political defection, insisting that it was a collective “movement.” According to him, thorough consultations had been made with stakeholders at all levels before the transition was initiated. He emphasized that Delta State must align with national political dynamics, declaring, “We have been in opposition for nearly 10 years. This is Delta State; we cannot carry last.”
Nevertheless, for many political observers in the state, the unfolding drama reflects deep-rooted uncertainties and the complex nature of political realignments. The lack of clarity surrounding the official status of many of the defectors, combined with existing tensions within the APC structure, suggests that the journey toward full political integration in Delta is far from over.
