By Akpos Oghenetega,
Director General of the Delta State Bureau for Communications and Orientation, Dr. (Barr.) Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, has described the recent mass defection of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the entire Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) structure in Delta State to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the "best and most democratic" option for the state’s future.
Speaking as a guest on TVC News' "Standpoint" public affairs program on Saturday, Oghenesivbe emphasized that the decision to defect was thoroughly debated and unanimously agreed upon by party leaders and stakeholders across Delta’s three senatorial districts.
“The massive defection to the APC in Delta was not the sole decision of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori. It was decided by leaders and stakeholders across the 25 local government areas," he said. "The political cross-carpeting was and still remains handsomely democratic because it followed intensive and extensive deliberations wherein all the issues were tabled, discussed, and agreed upon.”
Oghenesivbe assured that Delta voters would rally strongly behind President Bola Tinubu, Governor Oborevwori, and all APC candidates in the 2027 general elections, noting that the defection aligns Delta with national development priorities.
He stressed that the move was necessary to upscale the state’s overall development, improve living standards, and grow the Delta economy into Nigeria’s largest, through strategic implementation of Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the governor’s MORE Agenda.
"The good people of Delta State are going to be the greatest beneficiaries of the new political arrangement. We are now one big, strong and united Delta APC," he said.
The Bureau Chief commended Governor Oborevwori for what he described as "visionary leadership, foresight, humility, and political maturity" during the defection process. He noted that the PDP’s internal crisis began immediately after its 2023 presidential primary and persisted into the general elections, severely affecting the party’s chances.
According to Oghenesivbe, entrenched personal interests within the PDP made reconciliation impossible. "Whenever personal interests or interests of a few individuals override the overall interests of a political party, it becomes almost impossible to mend fences and move forward, as it is today in the Peoples Democratic Party," he stated.
He reiterated that the defection was not only democratic but also strategically aimed at achieving sustainable development and good governance.
"Defection to enhance development and good governance is unarguably democratic. Our collective decision to embrace APC in Delta State remains flawless and in tandem with universal principles of democracy. We are in good standing, no shaking," Oghenesivbe added.
