Delta PDP Slams APC Over Rumoured Defection Of Gov Oborevwori

The Delta State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) for spreading rumours about Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s alleged plan to defect to their party.

Naija News reports that these speculations, which Governor Oborevwori had earlier dismissed through a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Festus Ahon, sparked a response from the APC.

In a statement issued on Thursday by its State Publicity Secretary, Valentine Onojeghuo, the APC addressed the rumours, labelling them as mere speculation.

Reacting on Saturday, the Delta PDP, through the Commissioner for Information, Ifeanyi Osuoza, described the APC as a party plagued by internal instability and reliant on baseless claims.

Osuoza accused the APC of struggling with Governor Oborevwori’s growing popularity and his administration’s accomplishments.

He criticised the APC’s Publicity Secretary for issuing a statement based on unverified rumours, calling it a display of poor judgement.

The PDP chieftain further noted that the APC’s unease stems from the governor’s inclusive leadership and stellar performance, which have bolstered his public support and political standing.

According to Osuoza, these achievements already assure Oborevwori’s chances of re-election in 2027, leaving the APC anxious and desperate.

He accused the APC of misinterpreting the governor’s calls for collaboration with the President Bola Tinubu administration to advance socio-economic reforms as a move to defect.

The statement read, “When an institution that is expected to conduct itself based on informed facts begins to act and react based on speculation or rumour, we must see that something must have gone wrong with its medulla, its core.

“It is, therefore, no wonder that acting through its State Publicity Secretary, Valentine Onojeghuo, the Delta State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress allowed itself to issue a public statement, as recently reported, in reaction to what Onojeghuo himself termed “speculations” that His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori is seeking to defect to the APC.

“It is even sadder that Onojeghuo describes himself as a lawyer who ordinarily should know the need to act based on facts, but we can understand that the Delta APC is suffering from incontinence and cannot help itself. APC is now suffering anxiety, self-suffocation and pervasive fear as Deltans look determined to re-elect Sheriff Oborevwori in 2027.

“Deflated, they resigned with the hope of relaunching their bid in 2027, but the responsible, inclusive leadership style and sterling performance being delivered by Oborevwori is already assuring his return, at the same time showing them that they will suffer even more disgraceful defeat in 2027.

“In comparison, in the last election, the Delta APC paraded a candidate that President Bola Tinubu would never associate with to trade off his long and hard-earned reputation as a democrat.

“But perhaps, the most woeful betrayal of irresponsibility by the Delta APC is in their inability to understand why Governor Oborevwori has called for public support and hugely collaborating with the Tinubu administration to ensure the success of the ongoing socio-economic reforms.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the PDP is driven by these establishing principles: the pursuit of the socio-economic development and growth of the nation, the prosperity of the people and the deepening of democracy for the sustenance of good governance, and they have remained the guiding values of the Delta State Governor.

“They are only hoping to survive through unintelligent propaganda as they are currently engaged in. Pitifully for them, it will not work.”