Senator Ned Nwoko, who represents Delta North in the National Assembly, has explained why he left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC). He stated that his departure was due to the actions of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who he claimed did not allow him to function effectively.
His defection has stirred political discussions, with some alleging that he switched parties out of fear of losing his PDP ticket in 2027. However, Nwoko dismissed this claim and instead pointed to the opposition he faced regarding his push for the creation of Anioma State.
“I left because I want to be able to get the support of the ruling party in the creation of Anioma state,” Nwoko stated.
He further explained that both Oborevwori and Okowa, as key figures in the PDP, were against the formation of the new state. He also noted that his attempts to gain support from the PDP at the national level had been unsuccessful due to internal conflicts within the party.
“The governor made sure that I wasn’t allowed to function. He dismissed all the projects that we had discussed during the campaigns, citing a lack of funds. Okpai power plant and Ogwashi-Uku dam are examples. I wasn’t allowed to nominate any board members, commissioners, or local government chairmen. I had to join the ruling party so as to be able to attract projects to my constituency. Time is running,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Delta State government has downplayed Nwoko’s defection. The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, said the senator’s exit was of no concern to the party, emphasizing that PDP remained strong in the state.
“Remember that the same person defected to APGA in 2003, and PDP won the election; in 2011, the same person defected to DPP, and PDP won again; now he has left PDP, we are not bordered because PDP will win Delta North senatorial district in 2027,” Aniagwu told journalists in Asaba.
He also noted that the government was more focused on governance rather than political shifts, adding, “Our concern now is to concentrate on governance; it’s not the time to play politics, but I do know that when the time comes, PDP will still win.”
