In a major political development, Senator Chris Ekpenyong, one of the founding members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has expressed deep concern over the continued defection of key PDP figures to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to LMSINT MEDIA, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, his deputy Sir Monday Onyeme, and former governor Senator Ifeanyi Okowa have all recently switched allegiance to the APC. Their exit has heightened instability within Nigeria’s main opposition party.
Speaking during an interview with Vanguard on Saturday, Senator Ekpenyong, who previously served as Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State from 1999 to 2007, warned that Akwa Ibom’s current governor, Umo Eno, might soon follow the same path.
He attributed the mass defections to the strong political influence of President Bola Tinubu, asserting that the PDP has been effectively “captured” by the ruling party. Ekpenyong criticized the decision by PDP governors to abandon the party and blamed the situation on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s determination to seek the presidential ticket again.
Ekpenyong remarked,
“Tinubu has finished PDP. Akwa Ibom may likely be the next to fall. Many wanted Atiku to openly declare he would not contest, but his insistence forced stakeholders to realign their interests.”
He emphasized that the party now faces deep divisions between the North and the South, casting doubt on PDP’s ability to regroup and effectively challenge APC in future elections.
Reflecting on PDP’s decline, Ekpenyong lamented,
“The party is in ruins. Rebuilding will be difficult, especially since many influential members have lost interest.”
He also pointed out a historical mistake where PDP’s founding fathers, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, allowed state governors to dominate the party structure—an error that, according to him, has significantly weakened the party.
Ekpenyong further mentioned notable figures like the late Chief Sunday Awoniyi and former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, who once resisted internal takeover attempts, highlighting the lack of strong opposition voices within the PDP today.
For more insights on Nigeria’s political developments, check our related article on Nigeria’s Political Realignments
- Nigeria’s Political Realignments
- Delta State Political Shifts
- Atiku Abubakar’s 2025 Campaign Strategy
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