Vice President Kashim Shettima, ten governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje stormed Asaba, Delta State, to welcome Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa into the ruling party.
The venue of the rally on Monday is filled with party supporters.
The governors that have arrived include, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Monday Okpebholo of Edo, Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, Hope Uzodimma of Imo, Usman Ododo of Kogi, Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo, Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti and Bassey Otu of Cross River
Last Monday, in a move that surprised many, Okowa, along with his successor, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, the deputy governor, Monday Onyeme, and other top Delta State government officials, defected from the PDP to the APC.
The announcement was made following a closed-door meeting at the Government House in Asaba on Wednesday evening.
The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Festus Ahon, confirmed the decision, saying the decision was reached after wide consultations with political stakeholders and in the interest of Delta’s long-term development.
Earlier, the APC officially welcomed Oborevwori, and several prominent leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, including Okowa, into its fold.
In a statement released on Wednesday, 23 April 2025, the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Felix Morka, described the defection as a major political development and expressed the party’s excitement over the move.
“The National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress, under the leadership of His Excellency, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, CON, is highly elated by the decision of the Governor of Delta State, His Excellency Sheriff Oborevwori, to join our great party,” the statement read.
The party noted that Governor Oborevwori is not alone in the defection.
Joining him are top PDP figures, including former vice-presidential candidate and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, senior administration officials, members of the House of Assembly, local government chairmen, councillors, and numerous grassroots supporters.
The APC emphasised its readiness to fully integrate the new members.
“Our great party welcomes this important development and assures the governor, as well as incoming leaders and members of Delta PDP, of our fullest cooperation and accommodation within the APC family,” Morka stated.
The party also highlighted the broader significance of the move, suggesting it would strengthen both Delta State and national development efforts under the current administration.
“We are delighted that Delta State now stands poised to contribute maximally to the success and realisation of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the enduring good and prosperity of Deltans and all Nigerians,” the statement concluded.