…Says defection likened to political tsunami of monumental proportion
By Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe
Vice president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima, GCON, on Monday presented the flag of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to the Governor of Delta State, Dr (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori, describing his defection with the entire structure of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as a political tsunami of monumental proportion.
The Vice president urged the governor to fly high with the flag, saying that as the new leader of Delta APC, it behooves on him to take charge and align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, while also implementing the MORE Agenda.
He noted that the magnitude of the defection witnessed in Delta was of a special kind, never witnessed in the South-South geopolitical zone and by extension Nigeria.
Similarly, the National Chairman of APC, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, told the mammoth crowd of defectors that governor Oborevwori is one of the best governors in Nigeria, in terms of good governance and visionary leadership.
Ganduje stated that the political cross carpeting was the right step in the right direction, because the good people of Delta State, and the state would ultimately benefit from the Renewal Hope Agenda, while thanking President Bola Tinubu for providing good governance that had enabled Progressives to join the APC.
Earlier, Governor Oborevwori assured that as the new leader of APC in the state, factions no longer exist, assuring that Delta APC is now one big, strong and united.political family.
He urged leaders, stakeholders and members of the party to embrace one and another in the greater interests of the state and the party.
He said what happened in Delta on Monday was an unprecedented movement, not a defection in the real sense of it, adding that it was a vibrant political exodus that would impact positively on the overall development of the state and the socioeconomic well being of the people.
Governor Oborevwori urged Deltans to vote massively for President Bola Tinubu and all candidates of the party in 2027, noting that “Delta Nor dey carry last.”
In the same vein, the immediate past governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa disclosed that the political exodus was for the best interests of the state and the people, noting that Delta has been in the opposition for almost 10 years.
He said governor Oborevwori, stakeholders and leaders of the party after much deliberations on what is best for the state and the political family, resolved that it was time to align with the ruling party at the centre, so as to upscale development and spread of dividends of democracy to the good people of Delta State.
Chairman of Progressive Governors Forum and governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, led governors under the platform of the APC to the event in Asaba.
He commended for governor Oborevwori, who he described as a pragmatic leader, performing governor and the newest member of the Progressive Governors Forum in Nigeria, adding that Delta alignment with the ruling party at the centre and President Bola Tinubu would fasttrack meaningful empowerment and economic benefits for the state and people.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of APC flag to governor Oborevwori by VP Shettima.
The political exodus from PDP to APC in Delta State was holistic, from top to bottom including; the Deputy Governor, Sir. monday Onyeme, the Speaker of DTHA, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor and members of the State Assembly, all members of the State Executive Council, all elected representatives and political appointees across board, leaders, stakeholders and party supporters.
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