Some former members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State who recently followed Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa into the All Progressives Congress (APC) are hesitating to fully commit to their new political home. Despite publicly joining APC, many have reportedly refused to formally resign from the PDP, causing complications in the party’s ongoing registration process.
According to insiders, APC ward leaders across Delta State have been reluctant to register the defectors, insisting they provide official resignation letters from the PDP. This demand led to noticeable disruptions in the registration exercise, with some party leaders halting the process until further clarification.
In response to the brewing tension, Delta APC Chairman Elder Omeni Sobotie stepped in. He issued a directive to grassroots leaders, asking them to continue the registration process and not to insist on the submission of resignation letters. His intervention was seen as a move to prevent further division within the party and avoid discouraging potential members.
However, the process still remains bumpy. Some APC officials on the ground report that the defectors are “foot-dragging,” unwilling to proceed with registration. Mr. Obakpororo Onoabedje, chairman of APC in Ughelli North, stated that while registration materials had been distributed to ward leaders, there was little enthusiasm from the new entrants.
“It’s a slow process,” another source revealed. “They are watching the political climate. Many are unsure about their next steps due to uncertainty and fear of backlash from both sides.”
Meanwhile, the PDP is showing signs of regrouping. Elder Emmanuel Ogidi, the party’s South-South Zonal Caretaker Chairman, noted that many loyal members who rejected the defection are rallying to rebuild the party. “I have told them to open the doors till one month before we close it,” Ogidi said, confirming that a caretaker committee would soon be in place.
Adding to the complexity is the apparent distrust between old and new APC members. Reports suggest that longtime APC loyalists are wary of the new arrivals, unsure whether their loyalty lies with their new party or if they still maintain allegiances to the PDP.
Meanwhile, APC publicity secretary, Mr. Valentine Onojeghuo, issued a clear order for seamless integration. In his words: “All party functionaries at the grassroots, local government chairmen and ward chairmen, are hereby instructed to eliminate any bureaucratic hurdles, red tape or procedural bottlenecks that may hinder the seamless registration and integration of these new members.”
