Delta PDP Defectors Hesitate To Register With APC Amid Internal Party Tensions

In Delta State, a significant number of former People’s Democratic Party (PDP) members who recently shifted allegiance to the All Progressives Congress (APC) alongside Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his predecessor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, are reportedly reluctant to formalize their new party membership. Despite their public defection, these individuals have not officially resigned from the PDP, leading to complications in the APC’s ongoing registration process.

Local APC ward leaders have been hesitant to register these defectors without formal resignation letters from the PDP, causing a sluggish start to the registration exercise. This impasse prompted Elder Omeni Sobotie, the state APC chairman, to intervene, instructing ward and local government leaders to proceed with registrations without demanding resignation proofs.

The situation has created a palpable tension within the APC ranks, as existing members express apprehension about the influx of former PDP members. Sources indicate a mutual distrust, with long-standing APC members wary of the newcomers, while the defectors remain cautious, observing the party dynamics before fully integrating.

Valentine Onojeghuo, the APC state publicity secretary, emphasized the need for a seamless registration process, urging all party functionaries to eliminate bureaucratic obstacles that could hinder the integration of new members.

Meanwhile, the PDP is experiencing internal efforts to rebuild and retain its base. Elder Emmanuel Ogidi, the Chairman of the Zonal Caretaker Committee of the PDP in the South-South, announced plans to establish a caretaker executive within a month, aiming to rejuvenate the party’s structure and appeal.

The mass defection, described by Governor Oborevwori as a “movement” rather than a mere party switch, was marked by extensive consultations across various levels of government. The governor highlighted the support received from President Bola Tinubu, aligning the move with the federal government’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” and his administration’s M.O.R.E Agenda.

Despite threats from the PDP to legally challenge the defections, no lawsuits have been filed yet. A member of the party’s National Working Committee revealed that preparations are underway to seek court declarations to vacate the seats of the defectors, focusing initially on Delta State.

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