The Tsunami In Delta State

By

Olabode Opeseitan

To describe what just happened in Delta State as a political tsunami is almost an understatement. Virtually every major political figure in Delta State now belongs to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

For context, since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, Delta State has been a stronghold of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The party’s dominance was so entrenched that in the last presidential election, the then-governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, was the PDP vice-presidential candidate.

Now, in a dramatic shift, Okowa, the current governor Sheriff Oborevwori (who described the defection as a movement), all members of the state executive council, and other key stakeholders have left the PDP for the APC. Okowa himself captured the moment, saying it now feels as if no other party exists in the state. He also dismissed claims that the move was made under pressure, emphasizing that it was a bold, strategic and patriotic decision taken in the best interest of the people of Delta State.

This mass defection includes the governor, the deputy governor, the immediate past governor, the speaker, the state party chairman, all local government chairmen, and members of the National and State Assemblies-essentially, the entire PDP political structure in Delta. The consensus among these leaders is that the change was necessary to ensure continued development, unity, and welfare for the people of Delta State.