By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu, Asaba
DELTA: With the 2027 elections on the horizon, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State has received a major boost as over 2,000 former members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other opposition parties defected to its fold.
The defectors, drawn from Ughelli North, Ughelli South, and Udu local government areas, pledged their allegiance to the ruling party during the inauguration of the Ughelli North/Ughelli South/Udu Federal Constituency Forum at Oharisi Primary School, Ughelli.
Leading the defectors, Comrade Fejiro Ishaka of the Delta Political Actualisation Network (DPAN) and Alex Idu from Orogun, described their decision as a move inspired by the need for visionary leadership and sustainable development.
Ishaka noted that after contesting elections under the APC in 2019 and 2023, it became evident that the party lacked the structure and unity needed to secure victory in Delta State.
“In 2019, we fought gallantly with Chief Great Ogboru, and in 2023, we stood behind Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, yet we lost to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori. We have now seen the light and will work to ensure the PDP’s victory in 2027,” Ishaka said.
Similarly, Alex Idu, who joined the APC shortly before the 2023 general elections, expressed regret over his decision, stating that he had realized the PDP remained the best political platform for development.
“I have seen that there is nothing in APC. It was a mistake leaving PDP in 2023, but we are back, and we will ensure PDP’s dominance in Orogun ahead of 2027,” Idu declared.
Welcoming the defectors, the Delta State PDP Chairman, Chief Solomon Arenyeka, assured them of equal opportunities within the party. He emphasized that the PDP was poised to reclaim the Ughelli Federal Constituency in 2027, attributing the party’s growing popularity to Governor Oborevwori’s infrastructural strides across the state.
Deputy Governor Monday Onyeme also urged the defectors to actively contribute to the party’s success, reaffirming that every member—new or old—had a role to play in ensuring victory.
Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, encouraged the new members to spread the PDP’s message across their communities, while former Secretary to the State Government, Rt. Hon. Festus Agas, expressed confidence that the party would emerge victorious in 2027.
The defection of key APC chieftains signals a significant shift in the political landscape of Delta State as preparations for the next general elections gather momentum.