From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu met with Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at approximately 3:45 p.m.
The closed-door meeting marked Oborevwori’s first official engagement with Tinubu since his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on April 23, 2025.
Oborevwori, a former PDP stalwart, led a significant political realignment in Delta, joined by his predecessor, former PDP vice-presidential candidate Ifeanyi Okowa, Deputy Governor Monday Onyeme, cabinet members, local government chairmen, and grassroots leaders. The defection, announced after a six-hour meeting in Asaba, ended the PDP’s 26-year dominance in Delta since 1999, making Oborevwori the first sitting governor to abandon the party. Additionally, Delta State House of Assembly Speaker Emomotimi Guwor and 21 assembly members also crossed to the APC, further consolidating the shift.
Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at an April 28 Asaba rally, described the defection as a “political tsunami of unimaginable proportions,” praising Oborevwori and Okowa for their unity and leadership. Oborevwori called it a “movement” for Delta’s integration into Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, citing the need to connect to federal resources. “Delta can no longer be in opposition,” he said, noting that National Assembly members would defect when plenary resumes.
The move has weakened the PDP’s South-South stronghold, reducing its governorship states to 10, and sparked speculation of further defections in states like Osun and Enugu. However, APC leaders like Senator Ovie Omo-Agege initially opposed Oborevwori’s entry but later welcomed him, assuring stakeholders of managed integration.