.......Delta agog for big political event of the year in Asaba

.......Okowa, PDP leaders move en masse

Asaba, the capital of Delta State, is aglow.

Today, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, other elected officials and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders from ward to state will be received into the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Oborevwori, who dumped the leading opposition party last week, will get the broom, symbol of the ruling party, from Vice President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, at the Cenotaph, the venue of the historic rally.

Ganduje arrived in Asaba yesterday and held a series of meetings with defecting officials and Oborevwori.

The defection is a big event ? described as a political Tsunami by observers ? because Delta had been a PDP state since 1999.

Twenty-one APC governors and leaders are expected at the event.

As of 6pm yesterday, no fewer than 10 governors had arrived in the state capital.

These are: Progressive Governors? Forum (PGF) chairman Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Bassey Otu (Cross River), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), Usman Ododo (Kogi), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), AbdulRaheem AbdulRasaq (Kwara), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Dikko Raddah (Katsina) and Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe).

Former APC National Chairman, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, was among the national leaders who also arrived in Asaba last night.

The venue was looking resplendent, decorated with APC flags and different banners fluttering at strategic locations.

The unprecedented defection sent a shockwave across the country last week.

Apart from Oborevwori, other key PDP leaders who would be received into the APC are former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who was Alhaji Atiku Abubakar?s running mate in the 2023 presidential poll; Deputy Governor Monday Onyeme, House of Assembly Speaker Emomotimi Guwor, Senator James Manager, commissioners and special advisers, state and federal lawmakers, chairmen of local government and councillors, and state local government and ward chairmen.

Many APC leaders, including Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo (SAN), Olorogun Otega Emerhor; former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe; Senator Joel Onowakpo-Thomas (Delta South); and his Delta Central counterpart, Sen. Ede Dafinone, applauded the defection.

Delta APC urged members to turn up en masse to receive the defectors with open arms.

It said the defection signals a new era of consolidation and growth for the chapter ahead of future elections.

It urged the party faithful to massively mobilise supporters for the ceremony.

The Publicity Secretary, Valentine Onojeghuo, in a statement, described the defection as a landmark event, which has shattered the political firmament of the state.

He said: ?It marks a new dawn for the progressive family in Delta State and symbolises unity, inclusivity and our collective commitment to the growth and development of our dear Delta State under the leadership and guidance of our amiable governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, as he charts a new course for the destiny of the state through the M.O.R.E. agenda, in conjunction with the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.?

Omo-Agege welcomes Oborevwori

Former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege, who was the APC governorship candidate in 2023, welcomed Oborevwori to the party.

He lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu?s ?political sagacity and visionary leadership.?

Omo-Agege said in a statement that the issues arising from the defection were being addressed ?with prudence and foresight? following consultations with the APC national leadership, the Progressive Governors Forum, and local stakeholders.

Urging party members to storm the rally, he said: ?This is a moment for unity, understanding, and a shared commitment to the progress of Delta State and Nigeria.?

He said the defection ?reaffirms our commitment to progressive governance, promising a brighter future for our people and a more prosperous, secure, and united Nigeria.?

Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, in a statement by his media aide, Ike Abiagom, said Delta ?APC family welcomes Governor Oborevwori and other PDP leaders into its fold,? describing their decision as a significant boost to the party?s strength and structure across the state.

He said the political realignment would bolster President Tinubu?s re-election campaign, adding that it is a game-changer.

Lauding Oborevwori for his courage, Nwaoboshi maintained that the defection signified a turning point for governance and political collaboration.

He urged APC members to embrace the new members with open arms, stressing that unity within the party would be crucial for delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.

Okotete hails Delta governor

Executive Director (Business Development), NEXIM Bank, Stella Okotete, expressed excitement at the defection, saying that it would strengthen the party and enhance its chances of achieving greater success in future polls.

Okotete said in a statement: ?This momentous decision marks not just a political transition, but a bold affirmation of vision, courage, and commitment to the development of Delta State through inclusive, progressive governance.

?Your Excellency, your entry into the APC is a powerful testament to our party?s rising influence and capacity to unite all well-meaning leaders under one formidable umbrella of growth and transformation.

?As we welcome the Governor and all the PDP members in Delta State into our fold, I call on every APC member?leaders, stakeholders, and grassroots supporters alike?to embrace this new era with open arms and renewed purpose.

?Let us put aside all divisive tendencies and prioritise loyalty to the party, unity of purpose, and service-driven governance.

?Our collective strength lies in our unity. And today, with Delta State now firmly aligned with the centre, we stand at the threshold of greatness.

?Together, let us consolidate our efforts towards the reelection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, support the leadership of Governor Oborevwori, and ensure the continuous growth and dominance of the APC in every corner of our state.

?A progressive Delta is not a dream?it is our present reality. Let us build it, protect it, and be proud of it.?

?No plan for a one-party state?

Some opposition figures and other critics, who objected to the gale of defections to the APC, have alleged that it was a grand design by President Tinubu to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.

But Presidential Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga, who reflected on the realignment of forces, rejected the insinuation, reiterating the President?s avowed belief in multi-party democracy.

He said in a statement titled: ?Democracy strong and alive in Nigeria ? that contrary to the false claims and propaganda, democracy is not under threat in Nigeria.

He insisted that the accusations that the administration is moving towards authoritarianism are baseless and exaggerated.

Onanuga said: ?While the opposition elements are understandably heartbroken and disillusioned over the failure of their fabled grand coalition to gain traction, we find it disturbing that they resorted to peddling false allegations of the promotion of a one-party state against President Bola Tinubu, who is working very hard to reverse decades of economic mismanagement of our country.

?We must add that no policy, official action, or directive from the Presidency seeks to ?dismantle democracy? or ?weaken opposition? or create a one-party state.

?Accusations of bribery, blackmail, and the weaponisation of state institutions only exist in the idle minds of politicians and their agents who have failed in their assigned duty of opposition.?

Onanuga said the opposition cannot blame President Tinubu and the APC for their poor organisation, indiscipline, and gross incompetence in managing their affairs, adding that ?it is certainly not part of President Tinubu?s job to organise or strengthen opposition parties.?

He stressed: ?We find it curious that those who celebrated the defection of the former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the formation of a regional grand coalition with the sole aim of defeating President Tinubu in the 2027 election are the same people shedding crocodile tears over Nigeria?s so-called drift to a one-party state and authoritarianism.?

Nwoko: your defection should be transformative

Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North), urged Oborevwori to leave behind the ?old habits? of the PDP so that his defection could be transformative.

He said in a statement that the governor should ?leave behind the politics of survival and step into the politics of legacy?.

Nwoko, who had earlier left PDP for APC, said: ?No one pours new wine into old wineskins. Old habits, old politics, and the old deals that led to the gradual decline of the PDP in Delta must be left behind.?

He praised the governor?s decision, describing it as a bold step that opens new possibilities for Delta State.

Nwoko said the APC, ?reenergised and focused,? had started laying the groundwork for constitutional amendments, including the creation of Anioma and New Delta states.

He said: ?Your defection must not be symbolic; it must be transformative. This is your opportunity to embrace a new sense of purpose and demonstrate renewed dedication to progressive governance, fairness, and inclusive development.? (THE NATION)

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