A political analyst in Delta State, George Urhie, has warned the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the National level of the dare consequences of allowing Governor Sherrif Oborevwori to defect to the party and seek re-election on the party's platform come 2027. Urhie's warning comes amid rumours of Oborevwori's potential defection, despite his claims that "Delta is PDP and PDP is Delta."
According to Urhie, Oborevwori's motivations for joining the APC appear driven by self-preservation and a desire to evade accountability for alleged misuse of state resources, rather than a genuine commitment to the party's ideals.
"In reality, Oborevwori's motivations appear to be centred around securing his political future, evading accountability for the PDP's alleged misuse of state resources, and shielding Senator Ifeanyi Okowa from potential prosecution over the alleged mismanagement of N1.3 trillion in 13% derivation funds meant for oil-producing communities," Urhie stated.
Urhie also highlighted Oborevwori's alleged fear of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, the APC governorship candidate in 2023, as a driving force behind his decision to defect. "Driven by fear of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Oborevwori is making a desperate move to block Omo-Agege's path to the APC governorship ticket after his previous strategy to undermine Omo-Agege by funding infighting within the Delta APC backfired spectacularly," Urhie noted.
"Oborevwori's leadership style, marked by ineptitude, corruption, incompetence, insensitivity, and a lack of vision, would severely undermine the APC's efforts to bring meaningful change to Delta State and foster progress," Urhie warned.
"His defection would betray not only the Delta progressives who built the PDP from the ground up but also the electorates who crave genuine transformation."
The analyst emphasized that Oborevwori's presence in the APC would not guarantee the party's victory in the 2027 elections, citing the PDP's poor performance in the 2023 presidential election in Delta State. Despite having Senator Okowa as his running mate, Atiku Abubakar lost the state by a significant margin.
"The 2023 presidential election results in Delta State starkly illustrate the PDP's unpopularity, casting doubt on Oborevwori's ability to deliver the state to President Bola Tinubu in 2027," Urhie pointed out.
Furthermore, Oborevwori's own electoral performance was lacklustre, with losses in two out of three senatorial districts. The analyst also noted that the APC's strong momentum in Delta State, with over 60% of PDP members defecting, including high-profile figures like Senator Ned Nwoko and Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, further underscores the party's potential to win the state without Oborevwori's help.
In light of these developments, Urhie urged the APC to prioritize the people's interests and reject Oborevwori's bid, maintaining its commitment to progress and reform. "Accepting Oborevwori would betray the trust of Deltans who defected from the PDP, alienate supporters, and potentially damage the APC's electoral prospects," Urhie cautioned.
The APC's decision on Oborevwori's alleged defection bid will be closely watched, as it could have significant implications for the party's prospects in Delta State and beyond. As the party's momentum gains traction, its optimism about securing both the presidential and governorship elections in 2027 appears well-founded, making Oborevwori's potential defection unnecessary.
Urhie concluded that the APC should focus on its strategic strengthening of presence in Delta State through reconciliation, grassroots mobilization, and effective messaging rather than entertaining opportunistic defections. The party's strong performance in the state, including its success in the House of Assembly elections, demonstrates its potential to deliver meaningful change and win the state for President Tinubu in 2027.
George Urhie's statement reads in part: "Delta State's political landscape is shifting ahead of the 2027 elections, amid rumours of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori's potential defection to the APC, despite his claims that "Delta is PDP and PDP is Delta". Oborevwori's bid to join the APC, seemingly on bended knees in Abuja, appears driven by a promise to deliver Delta State to President Bola Tinubu, though his track record suggests self-preservation is the real motive.
"In reality, Oborevwori's motivations appear to be centred around securing his political future, evading accountability for the PDP's alleged misuse of state resources, and shielding Senator Ifeanyi Okowa from potential prosecution over the alleged mismanagement of N1.3 trillion in 13% derivation funds meant for oil-producing communities.
"Driven by fear of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, the APC governorship candidate in 2023, Oborevwori is making a desperate move to block Omo-Agege's path to the APC governorship ticket, after his previous strategy to undermine Omo-Agege by funding infighting within the Delta APC backfired spectacularly. Now, he views Omo-Agege as an insurmountable obstacle to his re-election ambitions, prompting this last-ditch effort to join the APC.
"By joining the APC, Oborevwori would consolidate power, potentially turning Delta State into a one-party state under Okowa's influence, undermining political diversity and democratic processes. This would likely elicit massive revolt, leading to loss of trust, electoral backlash, and internal party turmoil, ultimately detracting from the APC's electoral prospects.
"The 2023 presidential election results in Delta State starkly illustrate the PDP's unpopularity, casting doubt on Oborevwori's ability to deliver the state to President Tinubu in 2027. Despite having Senator Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate, Atiku suffered a significant 73% loss in the state. Furthermore, Oborevwori's own electoral performance was lacklustre, with losses in two out of three senatorial districts. The PDP also ceded all three House of Representatives seats in Delta Central Senatorial District to the APC and Labour Party.
"Oborevwori lost the popular vote in his senatorial district to Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, the former Deputy President of the Senate and APC governorship candidate in 2023. The APC's strong performance in the district extended to the House of Assembly elections, where the party secured five seats, surpassing the PDP's four seats. Even Governor Oborevwori's victory in the governorship election was marred by allegations of rigging and electoral malpractices.
"These decisive losses in 2023, more than anything, underscore PDP's waning influence in Delta State and the lack of confidence in Oborevwori's leadership. This has not changed. Consequently, it is unlikely that Deltans would support President Tinubu solely because of Oborevwori's presence in the APC. Instead, Oborevwori's defection might be perceived as a desperate attempt to eliminate vibrant opposition in the state. This would make it impossible for Oborevwori to deliver Delta State for President Tinubu.
"The APC is strategically strengthening its presence in Delta State ahead of the 2027 elections, focusing on reconciliation, grassroots mobilization, and effective messaging. This approach is yielding results, with over 60% of PDP members, including high-profile figures like Senator Ned Nwoko and Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, defecting to the APC. As the party's momentum gains traction, its optimism about securing both the presidential and governorship elections in 2027 appears well-founded, making Oborevwori's potential defection unnecessary.
"The APC's strong momentum in Delta State positions it to deliver the change the people have long yearned for and win Delta State for President Tinubu. Oborevwori's defection would be counterproductive, undermining the party's commitment to progress and reform. To uphold its integrity and prioritize the people's aspirations, the APC should reject Oborevwori's bid and maintain its dedication to genuine transformation.
"Accepting Oborevwori would betray the trust of Deltans who defected from the PDP, alienate supporters, and potentially damage the APC's electoral prospects, given the near-unanimous opposition from APC members in Delta State. Those advocating for his inclusion should reconsider, as it would likely backfire. The APC should prioritize the people's interests over individual ambitions in its decision-making.
