The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has instructed its Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, to begin the legal processes to challenge the defection of Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, former Vice-Presidential candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, and the entire PDP structure in Delta State, who recently joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
TheNewsGuru reports that the directive comes shortly after Governor Oborevwori, Okowa, and other key figures from the PDP’s Delta State chapter dumped the opposition party and pledged support to the APC.
Speaking after the first National Working Committee (NWC) meeting of the year, Acting National Chairman, Amb Umar Damagum, vowed to reclaim its mandate through legal means, as these officials were originally elected under the PDP platform.
“We are prepared to take legal action to reclaim what belongs to us. “These individuals were elected under our platform, and we will ensure that justice is done,” Damagum said.
Damagum revealed that the PDP has already assigned Emma Ogidi, the Caretaker Chairman for the South-South zone, the responsibility of taking over the leadership structure in Delta State.
Ogidi will also seek out new party leaders while disregarding the existing leadership under Chief Dan Orbih, whose influence has now been overshadowed by the defection.
The recent defection following a closed-door meeting in Asaba which led several key figures from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to switch their allegiance to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Among those defecting are Deputy Governor Monday Onyeme, state commissioners, local government chairmen, and various grassroots leaders. This political realignment, referred to as the “Hurricane Tinubu,” has significantly weakened the PDP’s longstanding presence in Delta State, traditionally one of its strongholds.
The shift has raised concerns among opposition figures, who warn that it may indicate a troubling trend towards a one-party state, posing a threat to the democratic process.
In light of these developments, the PDP has announced a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for May 27, 2025. The meeting will focus on discussing the implications of these defections and formulating the party’s strategy to defend its mandate.