BY Kenneth Orusi
In what appears to be a mounting political crisis for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State, a coordinated mass resignation by no fewer than 84 members of the party in Ukwuani Local Government Area has sent shockwaves through the state’s political landscape.
The defectors, all members of the Ned Nwoko Mandate political structure, tendered a jointly signed resignation letter dated Friday, April 11, 2025.
Addressed to the PDP Chairman of Ukwuani LGA, the letter cited deep dissatisfaction with the party’s internal dynamics, pointing specifically to issues of factionalization, exclusion, and what they termed as systemic marginalization by the party’s imposed leadership.
The signatories span across all ten wards in the local government, marking one of the most significant and structured walkouts from the party in recent times.
The letter, signed by grassroots coordinators, ward leaders, and other rank-and-file members, decried what they called “an injustice” in which loyal and long-serving members were consistently overlooked for recognition and political inclusion.
Instead, recent entrants with minimal contributions were allegedly elevated and rewarded, further deepening internal grievances.
“What is painful is the fact that people who just joined the party a few years ago, with no tangible contribution, are raised and positioned far above all of us that have been working so hard to put the various PDP-led governments in place since over two decades. What an injustice. Enough is enough,” the letter stated emphatically.
This latest defection wave aligns with the growing momentum of Senator Ned Nwoko’s political crusade under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Since his defection to the APC, Nwoko has launched an aggressive campaign to unseat PDP dominance in Delta State, a party that has held sway for over 25 years.
His mandate, increasingly resonating with disillusioned PDP loyalists, appears to be creating deep cracks within the party, particularly in Delta North Senatorial District.
Political observers say this development is more than symbolic, it is a warning sign of the shifting power matrix in the state.
With coordinated efforts and increasing grassroots backing, Nwoko seems to be laying a formidable groundwork for a full-scale political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The resignations from Ukwuani LGA are not isolated. They follow similar mass exits in other LGAs such as Aniocha North, Ika North East, and Oshimili South, all attributed to Senator Nwoko’s surging influence.
If this trend continues unchecked, analysts believe the PDP may face an existential crisis in the build-up to 2027.
Efforts to get an official response from the PDP’s local or state leadership proved unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
As the political winds shift in Delta, it is clear that Senator Ned Nwoko’s call for change is resonating across party lines. Whether the PDP can mount a credible response to halt the bleeding remains to be seen.
What is certain, however, is that the 2027 elections in Delta State are shaping up to be the most fiercely contested in decades.
Kenneth Orusi, is the Publisher and Editor-in-chief of The Story and Chairman, ICC, Delta NUJ
