Delta Assembly speaker, lawmakers join Oborevwori, Okowa in moving to APC

• 22 Delta State lawmakers, including Speaker Emomotimi Guwor, defected from PDP to APC
• Lawmakers cited alignment with national agenda and internal PDP crises as key reasons
• The defection joins the recent move of the state governor and 2023 presidential running mate, political dynamics in Delta State ahead of 2027 elections

Following the recent political allegiance shift of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his predecessor Ifeanyi Okowa, 22 members of the Delta State House of Assembly, including the Speaker, Right Honourable Emomotimi Guwor, have officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The mass defection, which took place during plenary at the Assembly Complex in Asaba on Tuesday, May 6, continues the political realignment in the state's political landscape.

The lawmakers cited internal crises within the PDP, lack of inclusiveness, and a desire to align with the "renewed hope" agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration as their reasons for switching allegiance. Their defection effectively hands the APC a dominant voice in the legislative arm of the state government, which has traditionally been a PDP stronghold.

Reading a joint letter signed by the defectors on the floor of the House, the Speaker emphasized their collective decision to pursue “progressive ideals that prioritise development, unity, and stability” for Delta State.

“This move is not driven by personal interest but by a shared vision to align Delta with the national direction,” Guwor said.

Reacting to the news, the Delta State chapter of the PDP described the defection as a betrayal of the party’s mandate, accusing the lawmakers of political opportunism. Meanwhile, APC leaders in the state have welcomed the new members, promising full integration and collaboration ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Omo-Agege announces mass defections from PDP to APC in Delta

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, had disclosed that 10 lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Delta State House of Assembly were preparing to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Omo-Agege, who was the APC governorship candidate in the 2023 elections, made the announcement on Saturday, February 9, while welcoming Chief Itiako Ikpokpo (aka Malik), a two-term chairman of Isoko South Local Government Area, into the APC