The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has responded to the defection of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, expressing deep disappointment and stating that the party is now placing its trust in God to guide it through what it described as a challenging time.
On Wednesday, Oborevwori, Okowa, and the entire Delta State executive council officially left the PDP for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking on the matter during a ceremony at the PDP headquarters on Thursday, where a certificate of return was presented to Ezenwafor Jude, the party’s governorship candidate for the upcoming Anambra election, PDP acting National Chairman Umar Damagum said the outcome of future elections won’t be determined by the number of governors a party has.
Addressing the mass defection in Delta, which also involved local government chairmen, Damagum called it a “very sad and unfortunate” development, especially considering Delta’s long-standing loyalty to the PDP.
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“If there’s any state that should not have taken this path, it’s Delta,” Damagum said. “We gave them everything – support for the governor, and even the former governor, who was our vice presidential candidate in 2023. We least expected this action from them.”
He maintained, however, that the party was not taken by surprise and revealed plans to promptly reestablish its presence in Delta State by appointing a caretaker committee.
Despite the recent defections, Damagum emphasized that the PDP remains strong, determined, and fully prepared for the 2027 elections.
“This is a party that has seen more than this and is still standing. Let me remind us all – Peter Obi had no governor behind him in 2023, but he still garnered millions of votes,” he said.
“The 2027 election is not about how many governors or so-called leaders a party has. It’s about President Tinubu and the condition of Nigerians. This election will be APC versus Nigerians.”
He cautioned that although defections might be achieved through pressure or influence, it is the everyday Nigerian—bearing the impact of current economic policies—who will ultimately determine the final outcome.
“Policies are not made for governors or senators. They are made for the people – and today, the people are suffering. This hardship is not a coincidence; it’s a design. Nigerians will rise to rescue themselves.”
He went further to say that, “Policies are meant for people, no one else because you make policy and it’s not for the ordinary people.
“We will experience a lot of challenges but there is no challenge that is insurmountable. I thank God we are all people of faith.
“We know there is a limit to whatever one can do other than what God has designed. You may have your own tactics where you cannot outplay God. We leave our faith in the hands of God and we believe He will help us out of this great situation.”
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