All Delta Reps Members Defect To APC, Cite Internal Crises And Constituent Consultations As Reasons For Switch

All House of Representatives members from Delta State have officially defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The development was confirmed on Tuesday during plenary by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, who read out letters of defection submitted by the lawmakers.

The wave of defections follows a recent political realignment in Delta State, where former governor Ifeanyi Okowa and his successor, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, also dumped the PDP for the APC during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Asaba.

The defection of the Delta lawmakers adds to growing concerns over the future of the PDP, which has been hit by a series of high-profile exits in recent weeks.

Those who defected from the PDP to the APC include:

The lawmakers cited protracted internal crises and divisions within the PDP as their primary reason for leaving, stating that the turmoil had hindered their ability to deliver on campaign promises. They also said their decisions were made in consultation with their constituents.

In addition to the Delta defections, two Labour Party (LP) legislators—Obetta Chidi (Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South, Enugu) and Dennis Agbo (Igbo-Eze North/Udenu, Enugu)—also moved to the PDP.

The recent spate of defections may be a sign of further political shifts ahead. Last week, Ikenga Ugochinyere, the PDP lawmaker representing Ideato Federal Constituency in Imo State, hinted that two more governors and over 40 lawmakers were preparing to leave the party.

In response, former Senate President Bukola Saraki said the PDP would be repositioned despite the departures, noting that while defections were unfortunate, the party remained committed to its ideals and those willing to stay.