The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reacted to the shockwave triggered by the defection of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, to the All Progressives Congress (APC), calling the development a “very sad and unfortunate” betrayal.
Speaking at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja on Thursday during the presentation of the certificate of return to the party’s governorship candidate for Anambra State, Ezenwafor Jude, the PDP acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, said the party has handed over its future to divine providence.
“We leave our fate in the hands of God, and we believe He will help us out of this great situation,” Damagum said.
Oborevwori, Okowa, and the entire Delta State cabinet, including local government council chairmen, crossed over to the ruling APC on Wednesday, raising concerns about the PDP’s political grip ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Damagum, however, dismissed the idea that the number of governors in a party is the deciding factor in elections, pointing to the 2023 performance of Peter Obi who, despite lacking gubernatorial support, amassed millions of votes.
“This is a party that has seen more than this and is still standing,” he said, noting that defections would not break the resolve of the party or its supporters
. “The 2027 election is not about how many governors or so-called leaders a party has. It’s about President Tinubu and the condition of Nigerians. This election will be APC versus Nigerians.”
He further accused the ruling party of inducing defections through coercion and empty promises, but warned that Nigerians, weighed down by the country’s economic hardship, will ultimately reject the APC at the polls.
“Policies are made for the people, and the people are suffering. This hardship is not a coincidence—it’s a design. Nigerians will rise to rescue themselves,” he said.
Reacting to the Delta defections specifically, Damagum expressed disbelief, stating, “If there’s any state that should not have taken this path, it’s Delta. We gave them everything—support for the governor, and even the former governor, who was our vice presidential candidate in 2023. We least expected this action from them.”
To stabilize the party’s structure in Delta, he announced that a caretaker committee will be set up immediately.
On the situation in Anambra, Damagum praised the emergence of Ezenwafor Jude as the PDP candidate, describing it as a product of internal democracy. He urged party members to unite and rally behind the candidate.
“If God wants to help you, He removes all the thorns,” Damagum said. “I believe we have one united party in Anambra today.”
In his acceptance speech, Jude expressed confidence in a PDP victory, citing his experience as a former Special Adviser on Security as a unique strength he intends to bring into governance.
“By the time I become governor, my leadership style and performance will speak for themselves,” he declared.
The PDP leadership reiterated its commitment to rebuilding the party nationwide, assuring members that the recent setbacks were not insurmountable.
“We will experience challenges, but there is no challenge that is insurmountable,” Damagum concluded. “You may have your own tactics, but you cannot outplay God.”
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