The defection of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and other key Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders to the All Progressives Congress (APC) is shocking and painful, Acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Damagum said yesterday.
Acknowledging the decimation of the chapter, he said the PDP’s fate is in God’s hands.
Damagum said to fill the vacuum, the PDP leadership would immediately set up a caretaker committee to steer the affairs of the Delta chapter.
He spoke on the defection at the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja, shortly before the presentation of Certificate of Return to Jude Ezenwafor, the party’s candidate for the November 8 Anambra State governorship election.
Apart from Oborevwori, key PDP leaders who defected to APC in Delta include Deputy Governor Monday Onyeme, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Senator James Manager, House of Assembly Speaker Emomotimi Guwor, other state and federal lawmakers, commissioners, local government chairmen and councillors.
Yesterday, APC National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, who welcomed Oborevwori to APC, hinted that more PDP governors would defect to the ruling party.
Also, Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s inclusive and engaging style attracts more people to the APC.
But, former Senate President Bukola Saraki said there was no cause for alarm. He rallied members to reposition the PDP as a credible alternative platform.
Lamenting the defections, Damagum said: “It’s a decision takn by them, but the pains will remain with us, not because of anything, but because we have given Delta State all our support, from the emergence of the governor to the support for his predecessor, who also doubled as our Vice presidential candidate.
“I think we have done it all for them in Delta State, and we least expected this action from them.”
Damagum, who was accompanied by the acting National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, the National Legal Adviser, Alhaji Kamaldeen Ajibade, and the National Organising Secretary, Captain Bature Umar (rtd), said APC has started deploying its tactics.
He said: “You may have your own tactics, but 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.”
Damagum urged party members to guard their loins against threats to the 2027 general elections.
