President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described the defection of Delta state Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his predecessor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, and the entire structure of the state’s chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a political tsunami of unimaginable proportions.
President Tinubu stated this Monday while receiving Governor Oborevwori, Senator Okowa and the entire membership of the PDP into the APC fold at the Cenotaph, Asaba.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the president lauded the duo and their crowd of supporters for the cordial relationship between them and for leading their supporters to the ruling party.
Tinubu said: “What can be greater than the promise of this day? This is a political tsunami of unimaginable proportion that has never happened in the history of the South-South region and barely in the history of this country.
“A political tsunami of this proportion has never happened where all the members of the upper chamber of the National Assembly are in the APC.
“The Speaker and all the members of the House of Assembly. So many members of the House of Representatives, the Governor and his entire cabinet and 500 councillors across the 25 local government areas of this great state. What testimony do you have greater than this?
“The true measure of a political party lies not merely in the industry, the very name of its members, but in the conviction. It is in fact among those who once stood across from them.
“This vindication is even more fundamental. When those who once saw us as outsiders and opponents, crossed the lines of difference to become part of the enduring family we have built.”
“This historic day, therefore, is both a celebration of the enduring promise of the APC and a tribute to the vision, courage, and foresight of the great giants we have come to welcome into the hall of fame of our political party, along with their devoted followers who are joining us today.
“I want to pay special tribute to Senator Ifeanyi Okowa for the wonderful relationship that exists between him and his successor.
“Senator Okowa, you are indeed a great leader and Governor Oborevwori, for embracing him, for treating him with respect and decorum, you are even a greater leader,” he further added.
Speaking further, President Tinubu said: “We are here with our unshaken belief in the power of collaboration, the understanding that we are stronger together than we can ever be, apart.
“What sets the APC apart is not an illusion of uniformity; it is our accepting that differences are inevitable and that greatness lies in managing them. Our tables have always been tables of dialogue, places where every member, no matter how big or small, is welcome to air their grievances.
“Your Excellencies Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and the other great men and women, we welcome you to the APC today.
“I bring them the warm assurance of His Excellency President Bola, Ahmed Tinubu, and all members of the APC.
“Now that you have come, we are all co-owners because, according to the constitution of the party, the Governor of the party is the leader of the party in the state; this is now as much as your party as it is ours.
“You have brought to us a wealth of experience, a breath of wisdom and a measure of strength for which we shall always remain grateful.
“This is a declaration that the strength of our great nation is alive, a spirit that brings your personal ambition, your party alliance and sees the larger set of history.
“Nigeria is greater than all of us and what we do here today is a step towards strengthening our promise. We welcome you, Your Excellency, not as defectors but as brothers and sisters who have found your rightful place amongst us.
“We welcome you not as guests but as family; we welcome you as fellow architects of a better Nigeria and may this day be remembered not just by what it signifies today but for the enduring fraternity and vision of source for tomorrow.”
…Governor responds
Responding, Governor Oborevwori described the defection as a historic movement in the best interest of the state.
He pledged to unify the party to ensure total victory for it in the coming elections.
Oborevwori said; “What you have seen here today is a movement: it’s not a defection; it’s a movement. We have done consultations with our National Assembly members, with leadership, with stakeholders at the state level, at the senatorial level, at the local government level, at the ward level and we all decided that we must all join.
“This is Delta State; we cannot carry last. When we stand for something, we remain committed to it; we have been in opposition for almost 10 years. Do we need that? Mr. President has supported us, he has shown us love. We cannot face him in 2027 to work against him. That love that he has shown to us in Delta State, we need to reciprocate it.
“We cannot do it in our own party. We have to be inside to do it, and to do it well. When you consult widely you see everybody will come with you and you can see that the love is organic: you can see my relationship with governors; you see all the governors here.
“You see the large number of governors: yesterday 9 came and slept over. Today, see all of them here. I want to bless all of you; I want to thank all of you.
“This is a movement: this is not a defection; we have agreed we will move together and when we move together, what is at the national we will be able to grab it.
“Our members in the National Assembly they are the next; they have agreed they will all defect on the floor of the House, and we have justification to move.
All of us want to be in the Renew Hope Agenda which is in line with my MORE Agenda.”
He further said: “For us in Delta State, it’s a statement and I believe other governors will join because it’s a movement and when you have a movement, you don’t fail.
“There are some things people say in newspapers, that there is confusion, there is a faction in Delta APC. As I have come, there will be no faction again. Let me tell you, the Governor takes charge, and we are taking charge. I don’t believe in any faction, whether Omo-Agege or Keyamo faction, everybody must queue and we will unite the party to move this state forward for the benefit of our people and to bring development, peace and unity to our state and Nigeria.”
…Otu links defection to Tinubu’s performance
Also speaking at the event, Cross River state Governor Bassey Otu attributed the gale of defections into the ruling party to Tinubu’s performance.
He described Oborevwori’s defection as not just a political move but a thoughtful and courageous response to the “growing aspirations for a better Delta State, a more prosperous Niger Delta, and a stronger Nigeria.”
“An increasing number of South-South states under APC governance is a dream realized. These defections are as a result of President Tinubu’s transformational leadership that has inspired trust, value reorientation, infrastructural rebirth, and economic rejuvenation across the nation,” he noted.
“Your Excellency’s decision to board the progressive train is a profound testament to your commitment to inclusive governance, sustainable development, and national unity.
“I am confident that your leadership will further galvanize our collective resolve to deliver the dividends of democracy to our people and drive forward the Renewed Hope Agenda championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Governor Out further declared.
…Ganduje takes turn
Taking his turn, national chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje applauded the cordial relationship between the governor and his predecessor, saying this impressed the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.
“So, we have to thank Dr. Okowa for that good relationship. Ladies and gentlemen, my job is very important which is accepting, welcoming and also, embracing the Governor and the people of Delta State into our great party, the APC.
“Mr. Governor, what l would like to tell you while accepting you into our party, is that our core value in APC is progressive leadership and coincidently, from what we have seen on the ground in respect of your programmes and your projects, you are a progressive governor.
“So, we are welcoming you for coming home. We believe in progressive ideas, we believe in proximity, interacting with different levels of our party; we believe in openness, we believe in internal democracy, we believe in self -accountability and we thank you for coming in,” he said.