The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has expressed strong confidence that more governors from opposition parties will soon defect to the APC. Ganduje made this declaration on Monday during a grand ceremony held in Asaba, where Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State and his predecessor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, were officially welcomed into the ruling party.
It is worth recalling that Oborevwori and Okowa, alongside other key political stakeholders in Delta State, recently left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the APC — a move that has effectively ended the PDP’s nearly 26-year dominance in the state. Their defection also transferred much of the PDP’s political structure in Delta to the APC.
Addressing attendees at the event, Ganduje extended his gratitude to the APC governors for their strong turnout and support. He confidently predicted that more governors from opposition parties would soon follow the same path, signaling further growth for the APC.
“I must thank our 21 executive governors who have remained steadfast. Now, with Governor Oborevwori, we have the 22nd governor on board. I thank them all for their commitment,” Ganduje said. “Let me tell you — open your eyes and ears — very soon, more and more governors will be joining us.”
Meanwhile, former Governor Okowa shed light on the reasons behind their defection. He explained that the decision was not driven by personal ambition but by a strategic need to align Delta State more closely with the federal government in Abuja. According to Okowa, this alignment is crucial to ensuring that Delta State receives its fair share of national resources, especially considering its significant contributions to the nation’s economy.
“When the news broke last Wednesday that we had decided to take a new political path, many were surprised. But history teaches us that there are moments when change is necessary for the greater good of the people,” Okowa stated.
He further emphasized that during his administration, Delta State experienced disadvantages by remaining in the opposition, and described the defection as a patriotic and strategic move designed to secure better opportunities for the state and its people.
