By Unue Emeka
Senator Ned Nwoko, who represents Delta North in the National Assembly, has firmly stated that Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, is not welcome in the All Progressives Congress (APC). The senator declared that the APC is set to defeat Governor Oborevwori and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at a high-profile political event in Agbor, Nwoko’s comments came during the formal defection of members of the Delta Unity Group (DUG) from the PDP to the APC in Ika Federal Constituency—a development seen as a major realignment in the state’s political landscape.
The gathering saw the presence of key APC figures, including National Chairman Alhaji Umar Ganduje, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, and former Deputy Senate President Senator Ovie Omo-Agege. The event marked a significant boost for the APC’s base in Delta State.
Amidst ongoing speculation that Governor Oborevwori may be planning to switch parties, a claim his media aides have repeatedly denied, Senator Nwoko addressed the rumors head-on. “Oborevwori wants to come to APC, but tell him to stay where he is. He will be defeated. We don’t want him in APC,” Nwoko said bluntly.
He suggested that the governor’s rumored interest in joining the APC may be tied to President Bola Tinubu’s reported ambition to secure Delta State in the next election cycle. However, Nwoko emphasized that APC does not need Oborevwori to achieve that goal.
Confident in APC’s growing influence, Nwoko told the crowd that Delta State will elect its next governor from the APC. He attributed this momentum to public frustration over what he described as 25 years of misrule by the PDP.
“Delta will surely become an APC state come 2027. Twenty-five years of corrupt governance by the PDP is enough. We must take over,” he said. “The APC is ready to deliver better governance, and we are gaining ground every day.”
Encouraging party supporters, Nwoko added, “Go home and tell them—the next governor of Delta State will come from APC. We’re emboldened today because groups like DUG are joining us in this movement.”
Senator Omo-Agege echoed Nwoko’s sentiments, clarifying that while the APC remains open to welcoming new members from the PDP, Governor Oborevwori and his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, are not among them.
Omo-Agege cited the ongoing wave of defections from PDP to APC—reportedly over 60% since 2023—as evidence of the party’s rising strength. He predicted a clean sweep for APC in Delta State in 2027, including the governorship, Senate, and House seats.
Political observers have warned that accepting Oborevwori into APC could backfire, potentially alienating voters who associate him and Okowa with the leadership they hope to replace. Such a move, they argue, might erode the APC’s credibility as an agent of change in the state.
Senator Nwoko also reaffirmed APC’s support for the creation of Anioma State, accusing the PDP of resisting the initiative to retain control over Delta State. His statement drew enthusiastic applause from the audience, underscoring popular support for both the proposed state and the party’s rejection of Oborevwori.
The defection of the DUG members is seen as a significant win for the APC and a possible tipping point in the race for 2027. As the political dynamics shift in Delta, the PDP’s dominance faces one of its toughest challenges yet.