In Delta State, ongoing political tensions have arisen following a mass defection from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his predecessor Senator Ifeanyi Okowa. However, the transition has not been smooth, especially regarding the registration process of the defectors.
Key Developments:
- Defectors’ Registration Issues:
- PDP members who followed Oborevwori and Okowa to the APC have not formally resigned from the PDP, causing complications in the registration process.
- APC ward leaders in parts of Delta State initially declined to register these new members, demanding proof of resignation from their former party.
- This led to disruptions in the APC registration exercise, triggering intervention from state APC leadership, which instructed that no resignation letter should be required to register the defectors.
- Tensions Between New and Old Members:
- The PDP defectors have found themselves in a delicate position within the APC, where existing members are wary of them due to the historical rivalry between the two parties.
- The new entrants are hesitant, as they watch to see how the integration process will unfold, while old APC members are skeptical of their loyalty and intentions.
- PDP’s Pushback:
- Despite the defections, a faction of PDP members gathered to rebuild the party, vowing to retain their loyalty to the PDP and challenge the defection.
- The PDP’s South-South chairman, Elder Emmanuel Ogidi, emphasized that the party would form a caretaker committee in the next month to reorganize and strengthen its position in the state.
- Governor Oborevwori’s Statement:
- Oborevwori, in his speech at the APC declaration event, framed the defection as a “movement” rather than just a defection, citing broad consultations with key stakeholders across all levels of the state.
- He emphasized the importance of aligning with President Buhari’s Renewed Hope Agenda and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to supporting the APC’s national goals.
- Legal Threats:
- In response to the mass defection, PDP leaders have indicated the possibility of court action, seeking to declare the seats of the defecting members vacant based on constitutional grounds.
- While the legal action was discussed within the PDP’s National Working Committee, it has not yet been formally filed due to procedural delays, and the focus remains on Delta State for now.
Challenges:
- The integration of defectors into the APC has been slow and fraught with logistical issues, from the registration process to factional divisions within both the APC and PDP.
- The PDP’s legal battle over the defection may further complicate the political climate in Delta State, especially if the court rules in favor of challenging the legitimacy of the defectors’ continued positions.
This defection saga reflects deeper challenges within Nigeria’s political landscape, especially in states where . The coming weeks may see more developments in the ongoing political tug-of-war between the APC and the PDP in Delta State.
