There is palpable tension in the camp of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State, following advanced plans by Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North, to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking on Arise TV on Saturday night, Senator Nwoko’s Director of Communications, Hon. Gloria Okolugbo, said her principal had indicated interest to leave the PDP and had briefed critical stakeholders of Delta North, his teeming supporters and constituents on the move.
Hon Okolugbo said Senator Nwoko came prepared to serve and deliver the dividends of good governance to Anioma people, but that regrettably he had not enjoyed the cooperation and support of his party the PDP in pursuit of his vision, even as the only PDP Senator in Delta State.
She cited instances of frustration from Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the PDP to include refusal to assist in funding the Okpai IPP stepdown to supply electricity to no fewer than 60 communities in Delta North and the Ogwashi-Uku dam to provide water to the community and the environs.
Okolugbo explained that Senator Nwoko believed that it was no use remaining in a party where his electioneering campaign promises to the people of Delta North could hardly be fulfilled despite the marginalization the zone had suffered in the past.
The Communications Director blamed PDP in Delta for lacking internal democracy, disclosing that Senator Nwoko would make his defection public anytime soon.
In her words: “What I can tell you is that today Senator Ned Nwoko held a consultative meeting with his constituents to inform them of his interest to defect from the People’s Democratic Party.
“There has been a lot of processes that he has gone through trying to speak to the internal party structures to see that the issues that we have in Delta North are resolved.
“One of the key reasons for which a legislator or a serving member can defect is factionalization. You don’t have to see violence before you know there’s factionalization in the party.
“And as we move ahead, it’s very important for us to strengthen the democratic institutions. Representative democracy is actually about balance of power, transparency in governance and accountable use of resources.”
Hon. Okolugbo who traced the history of PDP in Delta North said Great Ovedje Ogboru, a former stalwart of Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) dominated the region prior to PDP taking over the Anioma land.
“So it took a lot of groundwork and a lot of service to the people before we got PDP to become the predominant party of Delta State that delivered the last set of votes.
“Distinguished Senator Ned Nwoko was on the field even after he had won his elections, promising the electorate that together they would deliver the dividends of god governance, because this is about representative democracy.”
Okolugbo lamented that with all the promises the Senator made and is ready to actualise, the issues of political hijacking, factionalisation, and other pomitical power plays were derailing the process of fulfiling the promises.
“And somebody like Senator Ned Nwoko, who is well-traveled and exposed and having made promises that basic infrastructure like water, electricity, irrigation for farming and food security will happen. But now after election, powers are not allowing these things to materialise.
“The plan to step down electricity to the people of the area is bogged down by all manner of politics. And the Distinguished Senator Nwoko says I want to deliver this, at least in my time because when we have this, all the adjoining communities will have access to almost 24 hours electricity.”
Okolugbo said despite these laudable plans of the Senator and the suggestions to get them done and delivered, there have been brickwalls from the part of the state governor, Sheriff Oborevwori.
Asked whether Senator Nwoko would leave the PDP, she said: “Senator Nwoko is going to decamp. He had a consultative meeting with his constituents. Yes, he’s going to decamp”.
The communication director added that Senator Nwoko is joining the president’s party, the All Progressive Congress (APC). Her reasons are clear.
Okolugbo revealed that Senator Nwoko’s engagement with APC aligns with his commitment to delivering on his electoral promises. She cited the senator’s constructive suggestions to the federal government, which have been well-received by the president, as further motivation for his move.
“Senator Nwoko believes he can achieve more for his constituents by aligning with the president’s party. His defection is not just about politics; it is about ensuring development and accountability,” Okolugbo explained.
While the formal announcement of his defection is still pending, Saturday’s consultation indicates that Senator Nwoko is taking deliberate steps to ensure the transition reflects the will of his constituents.
Nwoko’s defection, when finalized, is expected to alter the political landscape in Delta state and beyond. The move could strengthen APC’s foothold in Delta North, a traditionally PDP-dominated region. It also underscores the growing dissatisfaction among lawmakers over internal party dynamics and governance challenges.
As Senator Nwoko prepares to finalize his decision, all eyes are on Delta North, where his constituents’ input will ultimately shape the next chapter of his political journey.
As it is now, Delta PDP has lost all three Senators to the ruling APC, a development that could spell doom for the PDP in Delta state.
