By Jose Oby 
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has hailed the mass defection of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and the entire structure of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a political tsunami of historic proportions.
Speaking through Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima at the formal reception in Asaba, Tinubu described the event as a landmark moment for the South-South region and Nigeria’s political landscape. He commended the unity between Governor Oborevwori and his predecessor, Senator Okowa, noting their joint move signifies a major victory for the APC and a new era of political alignment.
“This is a political tsunami of unimaginable proportion that has never happened in the history of the South-South,” Tinubu stated. “The Governor, his cabinet, all lawmakers, and 500 councillors across Delta’s 25 local government areas have now joined our party.”
Tinubu emphasized that the strength of a political party lies in its ability to attract former opponents through conviction, highlighting that the APC now welcomes these leaders not as defectors, but as family members committed to a better Nigeria.
Governor Oborevwori, in his remarks, said the move was a “historic political movement,” not just a defection, rooted in consultations at all levels of leadership. He emphasized that aligning with the APC is in the best interest of Delta State and in appreciation of President Tinubu’s support for the state.
“This is a movement. We have been in opposition for nearly 10 years. The President has supported us, shown us love—we must reciprocate by joining hands with him from within,” Oborevwori said. He pledged to unite all factions within the state APC, dismissing speculations of internal divisions.
National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, welcomed the new members, praising the rare camaraderie between Oborevwori and Okowa. He affirmed that the Delta Governor’s progressive leadership aligns with the APC’s core values of openness, internal democracy, and accountability.
Senator Hope Uzodinma, Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, described the event as historic and urged Deltans to rally behind their governor.
Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, addressing the gathering, said the decision to switch allegiance was driven by a vision to better connect Delta State to the federal government, securing greater development opportunities for the state.
Sixteen APC Governors and other national leaders attended the ceremony, signaling the importance of this political realignment.