Follow Us on Google
From Joe Obukata Ogbodu, Warri
Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday may prompt a cabinet reshuffle, according to a senior state House of Assembly member who attended a PDP stakeholders’ meeting in Asaba.
The anonymous source stated, “In a few days’ time, the governor will also be dissolving his cabinet to accommodate other APC members.” The reshuffle would reportedly allocate 60% of positions to PDP loyalists and 40% to APC members, a structure also planned for the state party.
Former PDP state chairman and ex-senator James Manager announced the defection, saying, “We have discussed and have disagreed to agree, and it is a unanimous agreement. I am the pioneer state chairman of the PDP. But you cannot be in a boat that is already capsizing because I am a riverine man.”
Other News
Manager cited the PDP’s national instability, including a recent governors’ forum resolution against coalitions, stating, “As disadvantaged as the PDP is now with about 11 governors, how do you go into a contest with an incumbent president?”
Commissioner for Works and Information Charles Aniagwu supported the move, stating, “It is said that when the taste of the palm wine changes, the drinking pattern also changes, and the leaders of the party were unanimous in their view that the political temperature has changed.”
He added: “We believe that what is happening in the PDP at the national level can be likened to that palm wine whose taste has changed, and that is why this decision has been taken.”
The meeting, attended by Deputy Governor Monday Onyeme, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, National Assembly members, Speaker Emomotimi Guwor, commissioners, and local council chairmen, resolved to join the APC, with a formal rally led by Vice President Kashim Shettima planned for April 28 in Asaba.
