President Bola Tinubu met with Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday, marking the governor’s first official visit to Aso Rock since switching political allegiance.
The meeting, which took place in the late afternoon, comes just weeks after Oborevwori’s surprising defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Governor Oborevwori arrived at the presidential compound alone at approximately 3:45 PM. His visit has sparked a wave of speculation, especially following the recent political shake-ups in Delta and other South-South states.
While details of the private meeting remain undisclosed, sources within the presidency noted that the discussion likely centered on governance, political alignment, and state-level development under the new party umbrella.
Oborevwori made headlines on April 23 when he officially left the PDP, a party that has dominated Delta State politics since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999. His move not only signaled a personal political shift but also led to a mass exodus of top state officials.
Former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, current Deputy Governor Monday Onyeme, numerous commissioners, local council leaders, and party structures at the grassroots followed him to the APC after a private strategy session held in Asaba.
Okowa, a significant figure in the PDP and its vice presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, has yet to comment on the sudden political realignment. However, analysts view the defection as a heavy blow to the PDP, which is already struggling with internal challenges.
The APC appears to be gaining momentum in regions once considered strongholds of the opposition. Similar political movements have been seen in Rivers and Cross River states, further shrinking the PDP’s presence, which now controls only ten states nationwide.
Insiders in the APC also note that Governors Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Abba Yusuf (Kano), and the suspended Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers) are reportedly considering crossing over to the APC in the near future.
Meanwhile, the opposition continues to experience fragmentation. The PDP, Labour Party, and New Nigeria Peoples Party are battling leadership crises and loyalty issues, resulting in a steady stream of defections that strengthen the ruling party’s grip across the country.
