Old Grudges, New Alliances: Inside Delta State’s Political Merger of the Century
Before the dramatic crossover of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his predecessor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on April 28, the APC in Delta State was widely known for its deeply entrenched internal divisions, often split along the lines of its founding members and defectors from the PDP.
The original APC in Delta—comprising key political actors such as the party’s founding father in the state, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor; Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN); perennial governorship aspirant, Chief Great Ogboru; and Senator Ede Dafinone—had long coexisted uneasily with a flood of former PDP stalwarts who defected during previous political storms.
These ex-PDP power brokers, including former Deputy Senate President Senator Ovie Omo-Agege (APC’s 2023 gubernatorial candidate), Senator Peter Nwaboshi, current NDDC Chairman Chiedu Ebie, ex-SSG Comrade Ovuozorie Macaulay, Chief Paulinus Akpeki, and former House Speaker Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, brought their grievances against Okowa’s leadership when they crossed over to the APC.
Their primary frustration, especially through the Delta Unity Group (DUG) led by Olorogun David Edevbie, stemmed from Okowa’s refusal to align with political godfather Chief James Ibori’s wishes, particularly by endorsing Oborevwori for the 2023 governorship election instead of Edevbie. Omo-Agege, galvanizing this dissent, welcomed the defectors, promising a reward-based system for performance rather than legacy or seniority, thereby sidelining distinctions between founders and joiners.
APC state chairman Elder Omeni Sobotie, another PDP defector, lamented the party’s destruction under Okowa’s watch, contrasting it with Ibori’s unifying leadership during his time in power. The Delta APC, thus, became a melting pot of former adversaries united more by their opposition to Okowa than shared ideological goals.
Ironically, that coalition now faces a new test. With Oborevwori and Okowa leading a mass exodus of PDP members into the APC, a historic unification of Delta’s political elite under the APC has occurred, bringing former PDP rivals and APC factions under one politically volatile roof. The term “new APC” has now been coined to describe this latest wave of former PDP members, even as figures like Senator Ned Nwoko (who defected earlier) are now viewed as part of the old APC.
This unexpected political fusion has transformed the APC in Delta into a power-heavy but potentially combustible party. While observers had long speculated about PDP’s internal collapse, few anticipated a full-scale defection that would effectively rebrand the state’s ruling party.
Yet, the old internal wounds within the APC remain raw. The rivalry between Omo-Agege and Keyamo had fractured the party well before Oborevwori’s entry, with competing factions undermining each other. Dafinone and Senator Joel-Onowakpor, both beneficiaries of Omo-Agege’s political clout, have since drifted away from his influence.
Meanwhile, Chief James Ibori—the architect of modern Delta politics—remains a looming but uncertain figure. Though he has not officially joined the APC, he has distanced himself from the PDP since 2022 and is believed to favor the APC, especially after being sidelined by Okowa. His daughter, Mrs. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, is already in the APC. Still, Oborevwori will have to navigate Ibori’s influence carefully if he hopes to consolidate his position and stave off future threats.
The gubernatorial ambitions of Omo-Agege further complicate the situation. He had previously controlled the APC’s grassroots structure and is unlikely to abandon his 2027 ambitions lightly. Insiders suggest he might leave the APC for another platform if obstructed. Still, others argue that if offered the right incentives, he might shelve his ambition in favor of party unity and influence.
Adding to this complexity is the re-entry of Chief Great Ogboru, driven away by Omo-Agege during their intense political fallout. Ogboru has returned to the APC with Keyamo’s support and might back Oborevwori’s reelection bid, contrasting sharply with Omo-Agege’s probable resistance.
On the ground, the real test lies in reconciling old APC loyalists with newly defected PDP members, especially at the grassroots where political rivalries are most intense. Party registration processes and representation will be a litmus test for Oborevwori’s leadership.
Despite the challenges, Oborevwori has made a confident entrance. Declaring himself a unifier, he dismissed factionalism and emphasized unity as a pathway to development. Backed by Okowa—whose political cunning brought Oborevwori to power in 2023—the governor appears poised to reshape the APC’s structure.
Still, analysts warn of an impending implosion if competing ambitions, particularly regarding the 2027 governorship race, are not delicately managed. Oborevwori’s success now hinges on his ability to forge genuine reconciliation, ensure equitable representation, and build a sustainable coalition that transcends personal grievances and factional history.
Will this unprecedented political realignment herald a new era of unity and governance in Delta—or will it fracture under the weight of unresolved tensions and ambition? All eyes are now on the governor as he leads a fragile but powerful coalition into Delta State’s next political chapter.
