By Felix Elumelu
Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Delta North Senatorial District, and Hon. Aaron Udoka Ebenuwa, the party’s Delta North Chairman, on Sunday received a large group of All Progressives Congress (APC) members and supporters from Akuku-Igbo/Atuma Ward 1 who defected to the NDC.
The defectors, including Chief Oblak Agbabu and Chief Ben Paymaster, cited prolonged marginalisation and neglect of Akuku-Igbo despite the community’s past support for the APC. Chief Agbabu questioned the value of continued loyalty, pointing to the alleged absence of meaningful projects and development in the community.
In a symbolic gesture, the defectors gathered their APC brooms and set them ablaze, declaring an end to their association with the party.
They were received by an NDC delegation that also included Hon. Ashinze Charles Obiodogwu, the party’s Oshimili North House of Assembly candidate, and other executives.
Welcoming the new members, Rt. Hon. Ochei urged them to feel at home in the NDC and tasked them to reach out to other distressed and disgruntled supporters of the ruling party and bring them into the fold.
The former Speaker asserted that the NDC fielded candidates who were sincere and hungry for performance that the people would applaud.
“Those who laugh at the NDC today, don’t be surprised if you find them with us tomorrow because the NDC, Peter Obi, Victor Ochei, Isioma Ndah and Ashinze Charles Obiodogwu are an idea whose time has come,” he said.
“For me, this Senatorial race is for our children, because one person can’t determine the destiny of us all, and this is why we must be ready to fight with all we have.”
He earlier expressed confidence that, if elected, the NDC would prioritise development and inclusion for Akuku-Igbo as the headquarters of Oshimili North.
Also speaking, Hon. Aaron Ebenuwa assured the defectors that all members remained equal while the party remained supreme. He tasked them to be watchful and committed, stating that victory was close.
The event reflects ongoing realignments in Oshimili North as the NDC intensifies grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.
