Delta State governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has described his defection alongside his cabinet and other stakeholders from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as “a movement” rather than a mere political shift.

Governor Oborevwori disclosed this on Monday while addressing a large crowd at the welcome rally to formally receive him and others to APC.

“What you have seen here today is a movement, not a defection,” he said. “We have consulted stakeholders at all levels. Mr President has shown us love. We cannot face him in 2027 to work against him. When you consult widely, you can see that the love is organic.”

The governor’s defection to APC marked a major political realignment in Delta State.

Recall that on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, the governor and his predecessor, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, had announced to switch allegiance to the APC.

Also, speaking at the event attended by APC national chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, some governors elected on the platform of the ruling party, Okowa emphasised that the move was made in the interest of the state and its people.

“It is a great day for us in Delta State. When the news broke out on Wednesday, the 23rd of April 2025, that we had decided to change our path, people wondered why,” Okowa said. “But one thing is very important: in the history of a people, there is always a time to change a path for the common good of the people, and whatever decision that we took was based on that common good and the need to change our path in the best interest of our state.”

Okowa, who served as Delta State governor from 2015 to 2023, explained that the decision was motivated by the need to establish stronger ties with the federal government at the centre.

“As I did tell people that day, it was not about me, it was not about the governor, but the fact that there is a need for us to connect to Abuja, that goodwill that is in Abuja, that resource that is in Abuja of which Delta is a large contributor, there is a need to connect to it. I was governor for eight years; I did my best, but we lost a lot, and I did not believe that the governor needed to stay working very hard without tapping into that,” Okowa stated.

“But as the governor is doing a lot for us, he also needs to connect to the greater source of power, resources, and goodwill in Abuja,” the former governor added.

He further described the move as bold, patriotic, and well-intentioned. “When we sat down after the stakeholders meeting, we thought that it was necessary to make this move. The move is bold, it is patriotic, and it is well-intentioned. It is in the best interest of our state.”