ASABA/Nigeria: The Director-General of the Delta State Orientation and Communication Bureau, Dr. (Barr.) Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe (JP), has clarified that the recent wave of defections in Delta State was a unanimous and well-considered decision across all levels of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), rather than an act motivated by personal political interests.
Speaking during separate interviews with Ritz FM Warri, TVC News, and News Central Television over the weekend, Oghenesivbe explained that the defections cut across the entire PDP structure, encompassing the 25 local government chairmen, all councillors, and unit, ward, and local government executives across Delta Central, Delta North, and Delta South senatorial districts. He emphasized that the process followed due diligence, with rigorous debates and full consensus by party leaders and stakeholders.
“If it were to be in the interest of the political class, then the defection wouldn’t be holistic. You wouldn’t have seen a defection that is from top to bottom,” Oghenesivbe stated. “As it is today, the 25 local government chairmen, all the councillors across the state, and all political appointees were carried along by leaders and stakeholders through the party structure from unit to ward levels, and from local government to state levels. The defection was embraced by the majority of party members in the state.”
He maintained that the decision was made collectively, describing it as a family move to reposition the party and reinforce political stability in the state. “If it were to be in the interest of certain persons in the party, this kind of massive defection likened to a political tsunami wouldn’t have taken place,” he said.
Oghenesivbe also highlighted Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s rising national profile, noting that his leadership credentials have been widely recognized. He recalled that Oborevwori was recently named “Best Governor of the Year” by ThisDay Arise Media Group, “Best Governor in Infrastructure Development” by the New Telegraph Newspapers, and “Best Governor in Good Governance” by Vanguard Newspapers’ Management and Editorial Board.
“You can see that the governor is in good standing in Delta State,” Oghenesivbe said, attributing the sweeping party loyalty and the successful implementation of the MORE Agenda to Oborevwori’s exemplary leadership across all sectors of the state’s economy.
