Oborevwori’s Defection Fuels Debate as Wike, Keyamo, Urhie, Others React

Reactions have continued to pour in following the defection of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), leading a wave of top party officials into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Analysts say this move could have a major impact the political landscape in the state ahead of the 2027 elections.

Oborevwori, who is set to be officially received into the APC by Vice President Kashim Shettima on Monday, becomes the first sitting Delta governor to defect from the PDP since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999. Joining him in this political migration are key allies, including members of his executive cabinet and former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

The defection has been met with both celebration and criticism. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, hailed the move as a “bold and historic decision,” thanking President Bola Tinubu for the leadership that he believes inspired Oborevwori’s switch. “Finally, Delta is APC,” Keyamo said in a post on the social media platform X.

Similarly, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike praised both Oborevwori and Okowa for their alignment with President Tinubu, stating that their support validated his own controversial stance during the 2023 general elections. According to Wike, the move signals a unification of southern interests under the APC umbrella.

Meanwhile, political advocacy group Fix PDP, Fix Nigeria condemned Oborevwori’s defection as a “betrayal of trust.” Group spokesperson Ejiro Moses described the move as opportunistic and vowed to make it a focal point in the 2027 election campaign. “This is not just a political switch; it’s a breach of the people’s mandate,” Moses said. He further announced plans to mobilize against the governor’s re-election.

Prominent journalist and political commentator, Dele Momodu, also weighed in, warning that recent defections to the APC are likely driven by fear and political survival rather than loyalty or shared ideology. He urged President Tinubu to be cautious of defectors who may not have genuine conviction in the party’s vision.

Also, political analyst George Urhie criticized Oborevwori’s leadership as “inept and opportunistic,” claiming the defection is a desperate attempt to shield himself from scrutiny over alleged mismanagement of state funds under the PDP. Urhie warned that the APC could suffer internally and electorally if it fully embraces Oborevwori, predicting it may alienate core supporters and deepen party fractures.

Oborevwori has yet to publicly explain his reasons for leaving the PDP, despite repeatedly dismissing defection rumors in recent months.

As preparations mount for Oborevwori’s formal reception into the APC, the defection is already reshaping Delta’s political calculus and could set the stage for a contentious 2027 election as the party strengthens its presence in the South-South region.