KEY POINTS
- Acquiring APC membership is proved to be slow for defectors from PDP in Delta State.
- The APC ward leaders started their membership process by requiring formal PDP resignation commitments which triggered registration delays.
- State leadership of the APC steps in through orders to eliminate all requirements for party registration.
The political movements in Delta State currently operate in a confusing state because former PDP members who joined APC alongside Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and ex-governor Senator Ifeanyi Okowa face challenges with their party transition.
Multiple sources within various wards confirm Delta PDP defectors are reluctant to file official PDP resignation papers while demanding APC registration. Such reluctance among party members has caused problems to delay the ongoing APC membership registration process.
Delta PDP defectors required to present PDP resignation papers
Ward officials based in both Delta North and Central would not register new members until they presented documented PDP resignation papers. The state leadership of the APC under Elder Omeni Sobotie obtained an urgent instruction to accept all defections from the PDP without asking questions.
APC state publicity secretary Valentine Onojeghuo released a directive for party functionaries to remove all procedures that might create obstacles during the new member enrollment process.
Documentary evidence shows Ughelli North is experiencing slow progress among registrants despite authorization for member enrollment. “They are foot-dragging. According to APC local government chairman Obakpororo Onoabedje the exercise appears highly clumsy.
Senior members of the All Progressives Congress still doubt the loyalty of new party members. An insider revealed that established party participants maintain a negative relationship with fresh members because the established members worry about the new members yet the new members remain unconcerned observers. One party insider stated that the process lacks any specified timeline. The members simply stand by while observing the situation.
PDP members to reconstruct their party
Meanwhile, the PDP is reorganizing. During local meetings scheduled over weekend the members who refused to join Oborevwori with the APC group stated their resolution to reconstruct their party.
South-South Zonal Caretaker Chair of the PDP Elder Emmanuel Ogidi stated that the process to form a new caretaker committee for Delta State will be accomplished in the upcoming month.
PDP National Headquarters in Abuja prepares legal action to oppose the political defections. The National Working Committee member of the PDP revealed their plan to use judicial declarations to remove all elected officials who departed from their party positions.
The legal adviser has made plans to petition the court system. The NWC source mentioned that the organization is concentrating on Delta defections since public holidays forced them to postpone immediate court actions.
During his address at the formal defection rally last week in Asaba Governor Oborevwori stated the mass exodus was not simple political defection but a genuine movement, he noted. Our membership inside the APC exists to support the love Mr. President demonstrated to us.
The party members starting from national assembly representation to ward representation received prior advice before this transition took place. During his rally he mentioned that the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of President Tinubu properly harmonizes with his M.O.R.E. Agenda for Delta State.
The changing partisan political environment in Nigeria continues to focus attention on Delta State where the recent political developments remain under observation.
