Delta PDP Defectors Reportedly Unwilling To Register For APC

Some former members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State who recently aligned with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) have stirred tension at the grassroots for refusing to resign officially from the PDP while seeking to register as APC members.

According to Vanguard, the APC’s ongoing registration exercise in parts of the state began on a shaky note, as ward leaders declined to register the defectors without formal evidence of resignation from the PDP. This led to confusion and a slow start to the process.

Meanwhile, PDP members across wards and local government chapters who rejected the defection move convened over the weekend, pledging to rebuild the party. The insistence on resignation letters as a prerequisite for APC registration caused friction, prompting the APC state leadership, under Elder Omeni Sobotie, to intervene. Ward and local leaders were instructed to register the new entrants without requiring proof of PDP resignation.

Elder Emmanuel Ogidi, Chairman of the PDP South-South Zonal Caretaker Committee, told Vanguard that a state caretaker executive would be put in place within a month. He confirmed that many loyal members had expressed their intention to remain with the PDP.

Despite the high-profile defection, Vanguard gathered that many former PDP members were hesitant to fully integrate into the APC due to historic rivalry and mistrust between members of both parties. A source noted that “this coming together is not smooth yet. The old members are afraid of the new members, while the new members are just watching.”

APC state publicity secretary Mr. Valentine Onojeghuo issued a directive eliminating any preconditions for registration, stating: “All party functionaries at the grassroots, local government chairmen and ward chairmen, are hereby instructed to eliminate any bureaucratic hurdles, red tape or procedural bottlenecks that may hinder the seamless registration and integration of these new members.”

In Ughelli North, APC chairman Mr. Obakpororo Onoabedje confirmed that registration materials had been distributed, but admitted the process was slow. “From skeletal reports, they are not forthcoming; they are foot-dragging. From what we are seeing and experiencing, the exercise is very clumsy,” he said.

A source further explained that the process was slow due to uncertainty. “Many don’t know what will happen, so they are sceptical. There are uncertainties, so some are reluctant,” the source added.

Ogidi expressed optimism, citing the enthusiasm among PDP faithful to rebuild the party. He stated that he had given supporters guidelines for setting up a caretaker committee and asked them to remain open for a month before formal structures are put in place.

The defection of Oborevwori and Okowa, alongside PDP’s state structure, to the APC was officially declared last week in Asaba. Speaking during the event, Governor Oborevwori described the shift as “a movement,” not just a defection. “We have done consultations with our National Assembly members, with leadership, with stakeholders at the state level, at the senatorial level, at the local government level, at the ward level and we all decided that we must all join,” he said.

“This is Delta State; we cannot carry last. When we stand for something, we remain committed to it; we have been in opposition for almost 10 years. Do we need that? Mr. President has supported us; he has shown us love. We cannot face him in 2027 to work against him. That love that he has shown to us in Delta State, we need to reciprocate it,” the governor added.

He further stated: “Our members in the National Assembly are the next; they have agreed they will all defect on the floor of the house, and we have justification to move. All of us want to be in the Renewed Hope Agenda, which is in line with my M.O.R.E Agenda.”

Despite the PDP’s vow to challenge the mass defection in court, Vanguard learned that no lawsuit has been filed yet. A member of the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) disclosed that the party’s National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, was still preparing to initiate legal proceedings.

“We’re focused on reclaiming our mandate. We intend to seek court declarations for the seats of the defectors to be declared vacant, in line with constitutional provisions,” the NWC member said, clarifying that, for now, the legal action would be limited to Delta State. The delay in filing was attributed to the public holiday on Thursday, May 1, and the absence of a follow-up meeting on Friday, May 2.