2027: Delta PDP fears grow as chair summons governor’s aides over defections

Troubled by the mass exodus of members of the Delta State chapter of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) into the broom family, the All Progressives Congress (APC), the State Party Chairman, Solomon Arenyika, has summoned an emergency meeting with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s political aides and other stakeholders.

The meeting is fixed for 12 noon today (Thursday) at the PDP State Secretariat, Asaba, the State capital.

The Guardian’s findings show that the State PDP is currently bleeding with not enough pads to clean its mess, as no fewer than 5,000 PDP members, who are disappointed and disoriented with the way and manner the leadership is piloting the party’s affairs in the State, find solace in the APC.

Those who have defected from the party to the APC include Senator Ned Nwoko, former Governor James Ibori’s daughter and a member of the House of Representatives, Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, former House of Representatives member Ossai Nicolas Ossai, Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru, and former Commissioner Chika Ossai.

Other PDP members who threw away their umbrellas to embrace the brooms include Sam Chukwuji, Rita Daniel, Somadina Anwasia, and Dr. Chris Okobah, while Chief London, Over-Do, Juan Governor, and Hon. Chika Ossai are oiling their guns to join the APC train.

They all defected to the APC along with their loyal supporters, citing internal crisis as the cause for dumping the party.

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The Guardian, however, gathered that their decision to throw in the towel at “this critical time” was due to the alleged humongous amount of debt being paid monthly by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration, saying the debt service had practically denied all stakeholders in the State a role in the scheme of things.

The defectors also accused the governor of high-handedness as part of the reason for their defection, more so that some of the governor’s henchmen, particularly those who fought for his election in 2023, are on the verge of leaving the party, hence the emergency meeting to address the issue.

It was gathered that some of the political appointees are not happy with the unfolding development in the umbrella family, and now the best option is to leave the PDP for good, a source said.

The sources added that to avert this ugly development, the State PDP Chairman, Chief Solomon Arenyinka, hurriedly summoned the governor’s aides and others to a meeting for possible solutions.

A press statement issued by the party and made available to journalists in Asaba on Tuesday evening says, “PDP Delta State Chapter has invited the Senior Political Adviser to the Governor, Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, and other political aides to the Governor of Delta State on Political Matters to an interactive meeting.

“The interactive session is meant to discuss some critical issues of mutual interest to the party. The interactive session is with the State Party Chairman and members of the State Working Committee.

“The political appointees invited are EAs, SSAs, and SAs on Political Matters to the Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Elder Sheriff Oborevwori, to attend the meeting without fail.”