A political tsunami is sweeping through Delta State, as Chief Itiako Ikpokpo (Malik), former two-term chairman of Isoko South LGA, officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) at a grand reception in Uro-Irri. The event, attended by top APC leaders, was marked by powerful declarations, including an explosive revelation by former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, who announced that 10 Delta State House of Assembly members are set to join APC soon.
Speaking at the ceremony, Omo-Agege emphasized the significance of Ikpokpo’s move, describing it as a turning point for the APC in Delta State. He revealed that he had persistently pressured Ikpokpo to join the party, and after a long wait, his efforts had finally paid off. He noted that Ikpokpo had shown unwavering support for him as the APC gubernatorial candidate even while still in the PDP, a testament to his alignment with the progressive movement.
Omo-Agege took a swipe at the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), stating that its dominance in Delta was rapidly crumbling. He highlighted the historic gains APC made in the last election, securing two senatorial seats, two House of Representatives seats, and seven House of Assembly seats—a feat never before achieved by an opposition party in the state. He further revealed that ten more House of Assembly members were on the verge of defecting to the APC, bringing the total to 17 lawmakers, setting the stage for an APC-controlled legislature.
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The former Senate Deputy President attributed APC’s growing influence to President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, which he said had created an enabling environment for progress despite initial backlash. He pointed out that Delta State’s revenue had surged under Tinubu’s administration, with the state receiving over ₦1 trillion in allocations within a period of 1year —a stark contrast to previous years. He insisted that these financial improvements were proof of Tinubu’s effective governance and that more politicians were aligning with the ruling party as a result.
Chief Itiako Ikpokpo, in his remarks, pledged to work tirelessly to strengthen APC’s structure in Delta State. He urged party members to welcome new entrants with open arms, stressing that unity was critical in defeating PDP in 2027. He vowed to help expand APC’s reach, expressing confidence that the party could do far better in the next election.
APC Isoko South Chairman, Vincent Egbogbo, also hailed Ikpokpo’s defection as a sign of greater victories ahead. He declared that the party was preparing to take over Delta State in 2027, urging members to consolidate their efforts in ensuring PDP’s total defeat.
With the momentum shifting rapidly in favor of the APC, Delta’s political landscape is set for a major shake-up in the coming months. The defection of more lawmakers could tip the scales in favor of the ruling party, setting the stage for an unprecedented political realignment in the state.
The event was attended by Member House of Representative, representing Ethiope Federal Constituency, Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, Chairman, NDDC, Chiedu Ebie, Former Delta state SSG, Chief Ovuzorie Marcualay, Leader of All Progressive Congress (APC), Isoko Nation, Chief Lucky Esigiie, Chief Lucky Okper, Comrade Mike Akpobire and a host of others.
