Ewere Okonta
In the ever-dynamic theatre of Nigerian politics, nothing quite prepared Deltans for what hit the state on the morning of April 24, 2025. For a state that had been a stronghold of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) since the return to democracy in 1999, this was more than a shock—it was a political earthquake.
Let’s rewind.
Delta State has been PDP territory for over two decades. It all started with the emergence of Chief James Onanefe Ibori, the charismatic political juggernaut who ruled the state from 1999 to 2007. Ibori laid the political foundation of modern Delta, commanding loyalty and assembling a formidable political dynasty.
Then came Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Ibori’s cousin and close ally, who took over the reins from 2007 to 2015, still flying the PDP flag high. Uduaghan, a medical doctor with a technocratic bent, maintained the party’s dominance while managing the complex ethnic and regional diversities within the state.
The torch was then passed to Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, a meticulous strategist and grassroots mobilizer, who served as governor from 2015 to 2023. His tenure was widely seen as a consolidation phase—steady, calculative, and deeply entrenched in PDP traditions. By 2023, PDP was not just a political party in Delta—it was practically a religion.
And then, the baton found its way to Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly and loyal PDP man through and through. He emerged victorious in the 2023 polls, riding on the PDP brand and the full backing of his predecessor, Dr. Okowa.
Everything seemed as it should be. Until yesterday.
*The Morning After*
On the morning of April 24, Deltans woke up to a completely different political landscape. Rumours that began as whispers on social media the previous night had solidified into an official announcement: Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his Deputy, all Commissioners, local government Chairmen, Councillors, and party executives had defected—lock, stock, and barrel—to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
For many, it was too much to process. It sounded absurd. How could an entire government, overnight, abandon the party that birthed it? How could the political DNA of Delta State be rewritten without consultation or fanfare?
“We went to bed as PDP and woke up as APC,” a prominent Delta youth leader posted on Facebook, echoing the confusion and frustration of thousands.
*And Then It Got Wilder…*
As the dust settled, yet another bombshell dropped: Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa—yes, that Okowa, PDP’s vice presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections—had also defected to the APC.
This was not just a defection. It was a migration. A grand political exodus that no one saw coming, yet everyone is now forced to reckon with.
*The Political Implications*
What does this mean for Delta State? For starters, it marks the end of PDP’s unbroken reign in the state. A reign that outlasted three presidents, multiple National Assembly configurations, and at least three recessions.
Governor Oborevwori now stands as the first sitting APC governor of Delta State in the Fourth Republic—an ironic twist for a man who once swore by PDP’s ideology. But politics, as they say, is the art of the possible.
With this realignment, the governor is likely positioning himself for stronger ties with the federal government—read: increased access to federal projects, possible debt relief, and political cover. It’s no secret that being in sync with the centre can open doors that remain firmly shut for the opposition.
However, the backlash is brewing. Many PDP loyalists feel betrayed. Already, voices within the civil society space and youth organisations are calling for clarity, and in some cases, outright resistance. “We didn’t vote for an APC governor,” one community leader said. “We voted PDP, and that mandate should not be transferred like a SIM card.”
*Okowa’s Gambit*
Dr. Okowa’s switch to APC has raised even more eyebrows. This was a man who, just two years ago, ran on a national ticket to oust the APC from power. His pivot not only undermines that campaign but also paints him as a pragmatic, if not opportunistic, politician trying to remain relevant in an increasingly APC-dominated Nigeria.
What he’s betting on is unclear. A federal appointment? Senate leadership? Or just political survival?
*What Comes Next*
For Delta, the immediate future will be politically tense. PDP faithful are already regrouping, and it’s likely new opposition faces will emerge from within the party’s disillusioned ranks. The APC, on the other hand, will be looking to consolidate this unexpected windfall—organising rallies, deploying resources, and singing the governor’s praise as the “bridge builder” who saw the light.
But beneath the surface, Deltans are asking the hard questions: Was this about the people or political convenience? What happened to ideology? And is this the new face of democracy—where elections are held under one banner, and governance is carried out under another?
Only time will tell.
But for now, one thing is certain: Delta politics has changed forever. And like someone rightly said, “We went to bed as PDP and woke up as APC.”
Welcome to a new dawn—or maybe just another season of Naija politics.
*Ewere Okonta is the CEO of EOB Media. He writes from the Department of Business Administration, University of Delta, Agbor.*
