KEY POINTS

• Former PDP vice-presidential candidate, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, defects to the APC along with Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and other key figures from the PDP.

• The move marks a significant political shift in Delta State and could have substantial effects on the 2027 general elections.

• Okowa’s defection strengthens the APC’s presence in the South-South region, potentially weakening the PDP’s influence in the state and beyond.

Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, former Governor of Delta State and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The move, which also sees Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the entire PDP structure in the state following suit, was announced after a significant stakeholders’ meeting held at the Government House in Asaba.

The defection of Okowa and the other PDP members is considered a monumental shift in Delta State’s political landscape. Senator James Manager confirmed the mass defection, adding that the key political figures, including Okowa and Oborevwori, had made the collective decision to join the APC. The defection is expected to significantly impact the political climate in Delta, shifting allegiances just ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement, Okowa addressed his supporters, assuring them that the decision was made with the best interests of the people at heart. “I have chosen the best path forward for the people of Delta State, and I am confident that our future will be brighter under this new alliance,” Okowa said. His assurance is likely to assuage any concerns among his loyal supporters in the state.

The defection is seen as a major political win for the APC, with Delta State being a traditionally stronghold for the PDP. For the APC, this is not just a shift in political alignment but a strategic move that could influence the party’s trajectory in the upcoming 2027 elections, particularly in the South-South region of Nigeria.

The implications for the 2027 elections

With Delta State’s key political figures now moving to the APC, the dynamics of the 2027 elections in the state and possibly the broader South-South region will be fundamentally altered. AAN TV believe this shift could weaken the PDP’s presence in the region, as Delta has long been a stronghold for the party.

Many speculate that this move could lead to a domino effect, with other PDP members in the region contemplating similar defections in response to Okowa’s high-profile switch. The APC’s growing influence in Delta State, now bolstered by the inclusion of the state governor and former vice-presidential candidate, will provide the party with a stronger base from which to challenge the PDP in the forthcoming election.

The immediate future for Delta State politics is now uncertain, as Okowa and Oborevwori’s defection shifts the balance of power. The APC will likely seize this opportunity to solidify its standing in the state by leveraging Okowa’s influence and political experience.

As the country gears up for the 2027 elections, all eyes will be on Delta State, where the effects of this significant political development will unfold in the coming months.