UGHELLI, Nigeria – The Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is facing an escalating crisis as internal disputes and a wave of defections continue to weaken the party, Director General of the Delta State Orientation and Communications Bureau, Dr. Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, has said.
Speaking at the inauguration of the executive members of the Ughelli North/Ughelli South/Udu Federal Constituency PDP Forum at Oharisi Primary School in Ughelli North, Dr. Oghenesivbe stated that APC’s structure in the state is collapsing, with thousands of members defecting to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He attributed this to the leadership failures within APC and the growing confidence in Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration.
He emphasized that Delta has risen to become the fourth-largest economy in Nigeria due to the governor’s prudent management of resources, transparency, and infrastructural development. According to him, the governor’s steady fulfillment of campaign promises has earned him the people’s trust, positioning him for continued leadership until 2031.
Dr. Oghenesivbe noted that over 2,000 APC members, including members of DPAN, defected to PDP in Ughelli/Udu Federal Constituency and Orogun town. Similar defections have been recorded across Delta North, Delta South, and Delta Central, leaving APC struggling to remain relevant ahead of the 2027 elections.
He described the once-influential opposition party as being in a state of political “comatose,” stating that its leadership had lost grip of the party’s structure in Delta State. He maintained that Governor Oborevwori’s developmental strides continue to overshadow APC’s political presence in the state.
The PDP chieftain assured that the governor would maintain his focus on economic transformation, infrastructural expansion, education, agriculture, youth empowerment, and job creation through initiatives such as the Bureau of Job and Wealth Creation, the Ministry of Women Affairs, and the D-CARES program.
Dr. Oghenesivbe also announced plans for the second phase of the “Drug Free Delta” initiative, revealing that discussions have been held with the Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Nyerhovwo Tonukari. The campaign, which aims to curb drug abuse, will be extended to universities, colleges of education, polytechnics, and an additional 55 secondary schools across the three senatorial districts of Delta State, starting in mid-April.
He stated that the commissioner for higher education had assured his support, directing all vice-chancellors, provosts, and heads of tertiary institutions to collaborate with the State Orientation and Communications Bureau in executing the campaign. Similarly, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs. Rose Ezewu, had instructed education officers to assist in implementing the initiative in secondary schools.
Dr. Oghenesivbe lauded Governor Oborevwori’s leadership, describing him as a visionary strategist who is delivering on his promises. He reaffirmed the PDP’s dominance in Delta politics, predicting that the opposition would be further weakened by 2027.
Citing the governor’s continued economic and infrastructural achievements, he maintained that Delta State remains firmly under PDP’s control, adding that political detractors and propagandists would be decisively defeated in the next general election.
