The political strength of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta state was boosted at the weekend ahead of the 2027 elections with the defection of members of a Delta State-based political pressure group, the Delta Unity Group (DUG), in their large numbers to the APC.
The event attracted the presence of the party’s National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje and Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo and a host of other party bigwigs, including the immediate past deputy senate president, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and Senator Ned Nwoko (APC Delta North).
Others were Hon. Eriatake Ibori-Suenu, representing Ethiope Federal Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on NDDC, APC National Publicity Secretary, Barr. Felix Morka, Chairman of the Governing Board of the NDDC, Hon. Chiedu Ebie, among others.
In a charged atmosphere at former Bendel Hotel field, Agbor, Delta State, on Saturday, the defection, tagged “official reception of DUG members to the APC”, saw members of the popular political group in Ika Federal Constituency, move en masse to the APC.
Earlier, the team paid homage to the Dein of Agbor, Keagborkuzi I at his palace.
Ganduje, who addressed a mammoth crowd before presenting the broom, the symbol of the party, to the Coordinator of the DUG in Ika Federal Constituency, Hon. Fred Ofume, said “let me first of all, convey the greetings and warm wishes of President Bola Tinubu to the people of Delta State. I was encouraged to be physically present because the DUG are great fighters for democracy.
“I’m happy that the large number of people joining the APC today are using the DUG as a vehicle”, Ganduje said, declaring that “this vehicle will lead to Delta State Government House come next election in 2027. The 60 per cent of followers from the PDP who have now joined the APC in Delta State have convinced us that Delta State will become an APC state in 2027.”
Ganduje who recalled memorable days in Agbor as a member of the NYSC in 1975, thanked the DUG members for joining the party, saying “we have taken over in Delta and this is going to be permanent.”
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo said “it has happened in Edo and it will also happen in Delta come 2027 when APC will take over. This is necessary so that the people can witness light. President Tinubu is doing well for the nation and we have started a new narrative in Edo which will come to Delta. We said APC is possible in Edo and so also it is possible in Delta State.”
The immediate past Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege stated that around 60 per cent of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in Delta State have moved to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“We were cheated in 2023 but we won the governorship election. We won two Senatorial districts and today, a third Senator is in our camp. So it is safe to say that Delta is now APC.
Speaking on the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, Omo-Agege said “he has given us reasons to confidently campaign for him, such as the subsidy removal and floatation of the naira, which has now stabilized the exchange rate.”
Senator Ned Nwoko (APC Delta North), stated that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori wants to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), out of desperation to actualize his second term bid, but will not be given the opportunity.
“Tell him to stay where he is. He will be defeated. We don’t want him in APC. The President personally told me that he will deliver Delta to APC.”
Ibori-Suenu, in a goodwill message, said “the DUG family had always been APC at heart. The huge crowd is a signal of what is to come in 2027. Delta will be fully APC and we will take over. We believe in action and the mammoth crowd signifies that.”
She told the DUG members that the party counts on them as those delivering the elections, being the foot soldiers of democracy.
APC National Publicity Secretary, Morka in his submission, said “there was a time in this neighbourhood when it was a taboo to be an APC member. We were scorned but never wavered”, adding that “this defection is another commitment to expel the PDP from Delta State. This calls for dedication to a higher purpose, which means we must do better than the PDP.”
The defection was convened by DUG founder and the Chairman of the Governing Board of the NDDC, Hon. Chiedu Ebie, the highlight of which was the official welcoming of the DUG members to the APC and presentation of the party’s symbol by the APC national chairman.
