DELE OGUNYEMI discusses the recent defections of discontented members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who have switched allegiance to the All Progressives Congress (APC) due to dissatisfaction with the performance of State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa. The PDP is currently facing significant challenges in Delta State, having experienced a major setback following a mass exodus of its members to the APC. This shift was highlighted during a large political rally at St. George’s College in Obinomba, Ukwani Local Government Area, on January 22, 2023, where former PDP leader Daniel Oritsegbubemi Reyenieju led a substantial group of party loyalists to the APC.
Reyenieju, who serves as the Chairman of the Organising Committee, made no secret of his intentions regarding the APC rally. In the invitation flyers, he stated, “This is the final nail on the coffin of the PDP bad government in Delta State.” As a three-term member of the House of Representatives representing Warri Federal Constituency, he invited “all lovers of good governance” to the event, which was co-signed by APC State Publicity Secretary Valentine Onejeghuo. The rally attracted a full venue, with leaders from the Delta Unity Group (DUG) claiming to represent over 25,000 supporters. Many of these members, loyal to former governor James Onanefe Ibori, formally defected to the APC, further diminishing the PDP’s prospects in the state.
During the rally, Reyenieju urged local government and ward executives to actively recruit supporters ahead of the 2023 elections. He emphasized that the DUG is committed to mobilizing for candidates who will prioritize the interests of Delta State. Speaking at the inauguration of the group’s chapter in Bomadi and Burutu Local Government Areas, he encouraged the newly appointed executives to spread the group’s message and engage eligible voters. Reyenieju stressed the importance of grassroots mobilization, stating, “Elections are local, and everybody must go to their units.”
The defectors were welcomed into the Delta APC by Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, the Deputy President of the Senate and APC governorship candidate, who promised to hold Governor Okowa accountable for his administration’s perceived failures. Omo-Agege pointed out that despite receiving N4.2 trillion in federal allocations over the past seven years, the state has little to show for it. He declared that the APC is poised for victory in the upcoming elections, stating, “We have everything that it takes to chase Okowa out.”
Prominent figures among the defectors included former commissioner and three-time House of Representatives member Rt Hon Mercy Almonai Isei, Chief Judith Enamuotor, Daniel Reyenieju, former Speaker Monday Igbuya, and others. Omo-Agege asserted that their defection signifies a collective determination to ensure the APC wins all three senatorial districts and the governorship seat, emphasizing the need for equitable governance and effective resource management.
In response to the defections, Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, spokesperson for the Delta State Campaign Council of the PDP, attributed the actions of the defectors to frustration over the emergence of Sheriff Oborevwori as the party’s governorship candidate. He expressed confidence that these individuals would eventually return to the PDP after the elections. Oghenesivbe criticized the defectors for their actions, suggesting they were returning to the APC out of desperation.
In a related development, family members of Askia Ogieh, Managing Director of DESOPADEC, also defected from the PDP to the APC, citing oppression and intimidation under the current government. This group, led by Mr. Goodluck Obrogor, joined the APC during a rally in Uzere, where they expressed their commitment to the party’s cause. Other notable defectors included youth leaders and former party officials who echoed similar sentiments about the state of governance under the PDP.
As the political landscape in Delta State shifts, the APC appears to be gaining momentum, with former PDP members rallying to support Omo-Agege’s campaign. The upcoming elections will serve as a critical test for both parties as they seek to secure the trust and support of the electorate.
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