A coalition of concerned members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State has demanded that Chief Solomon Arayenka, the defecting PDP State Chairman, along with all other executives and stakeholders at various levels who allegedly decamped to the All Progressives Congress (APC), officially tender and publish their resignation letters.
The group insists this step is essential for proper documentation and to distinguish between committed party loyalists and political opportunists.
The call was issued in a statement released on Thursday by the group’s Secretary, Henry Onokpekun, in response to a major political shake-up triggered by the announcement made on Wednesday, April 23, by Senator James Manager, pioneer chairman of the PDP in Delta State. Manager had declared that the entire PDP structure in the state, including Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, had moved en masse to the APC.
But the group has refuted this claim, stating emphatically that Senator Manager lacks the authority to speak for the entire PDP family in Delta. “He can only speak for those who were present at that meeting,” the statement read. “PDP still remains Delta, and Delta still remains PDP. This party cannot be wished away by a single pronouncement.”
The statement challenged the validity of the defection, noting that the PDP remains solidly rooted in the grassroots and that no constitutional process was followed to indicate a formal disbandment or mass resignation from the party’s structures.
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“We call on Chief Solomon Arayenka and any PDP executive at ward, local government, senatorial, and state levels who claim to have defected to show proof,” Onokpekun stated. “They must officially resign in writing and make such resignations public, in line with the PDP constitution and the provisions of Nigerian law.”
The group also urged the APC to be wary of what it described as the “entry of political mercenaries” into its fold, cautioning that many of the alleged defectors may be attempting to maintain dual loyalties. “What we are seeing is a clear case of political hedging,” Onokpekun said. “Some are simply following the tide blindly without knowing what they’re entering into. Many will quickly return to the PDP when their expectations are dashed.”
According to the group, the defectors, particularly those in leadership, have reportedly secured personal political deals that may not favor their followers, who are being dragged along without full disclosure.
“Many are just doing ‘follow-follow,’” Onokpekun lamented. “They don’t even know what they want or what awaits them in the APC. Unfortunately, the followers are often left to suffer the consequences of the selfish choices of a few.”
The group called on the PDP national leadership to urgently step in and reposition the party’s Delta chapter by closing any leadership gaps and empowering the remaining, truly committed members to rebuild the structure.
Despite the defection claims, a significant number of PDP ward and local leaders across the state have distanced themselves from the move. One senior official from Delta Central, speaking anonymously, confirmed that neither he nor his constituents were involved in any meeting or decision to leave the party.
The PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) is reportedly scheduled to meet in Abuja next week to assess the situation in Delta State and determine the next course of action to stabilize the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
