From Joe Obukata Ogbodu, Warri
The Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, alongside 21 other Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers have formally announced their defection from the party to the All Progressive Congress APC.
Guwor, on Tuesday, presented the individual letters of all the defecting members at resume plenary.
He hinged their defections on the instability of the national leadership of the PDP and the fractionalization of the South-South Zonal Executive of the party which has resulted in division within the PDP.
Guwor further explained that the defection was also in line with Section 109, subsection 1 (g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 ( as altered).
He noted that membership of the Delta State House of Assembly is now one hundred percent.APC, even as he thanked their various constituents for giving them the nod to what he described as the progressive pathway.
He said, “My esteemed colleagues, I wish to seize this opportunity to stress the fact that Delta State is one big family. The mass defection by members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the State, led by His Excellency, the Governor, to the All Progressive Congress, APC, was done in the overall best interest of all Deltans and the State.
“It was an outcome of a wide consultation across broad spectrum of political stakeholders, which culminated on 23rd and 28th April, 2025 at the Government House and Cenotaph, respectively. We are ever committed to align with the Federal Government to deliver more development to Deltans and the State.
“On behalf of the House, I salute this uncommon courage and exemplary visionary leadership shown by our indefatigable Governor, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori, in taking this very well thought out strategic decision at this point in time.
“I want to place it on record that, as a House, we are with His Excellency all the way in this regard. This renewed hope and partnership between the Government at the Centre and the State must be supported by all and allowed to foster so that we can begin to immediately reap the accruable benefits sooner than later.
“I wholeheartedly enjoined all of us, my dear Honourable Colleagues, to as usual continue to work tirelessly in unison for the progress and interest of all Deltans, for which we were all elected to uphold and took oath to defend”, Guwor stated.
The Speaker had, while welcoming the Lawmakers to plenary after the Easter break, assured that the House will continue to prioritise the welfare and security of Deltans in line with the Legislative Agenda of the 8th Assembly.