Former Deputy Governor of Delta State, Barrister Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, has openly distanced himself from the dramatic defection of his former boss, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and other Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) bigwigs to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement released on Sunday night via his Facebook page, Otuaro shut down speculation that he was set to follow the wave of defections sweeping through Delta’s political class. He described the rumors as “false, baseless, and misleading,” insisting that his loyalty to the PDP remains “strong and unshaken.”
“I will not abandon the PDP, neither will I betray the values that brought me into public service,” Otuaro declared, urging his supporters and the wider public to disregard reports linking him to the ruling APC.
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The announcement marks a sharp departure from the political direction of Okowa and Oborevwori, both of whom recently crossed into the APC in what analysts have described as one of the most significant political realignments in Delta State’s history. Otuaro’s defiance, however, signals that not all of Okowa’s political family is willing to make the jump, leaving the once formidable PDP bloc divided.
Observers believe Otuaro’s refusal to defect could shape the coming political battles in Delta as the 2027 general elections draw closer. His stance not only highlights cracks within the state’s PDP leadership but also raises questions about how deeply the defection wave will fracture the opposition in the South-South.
Otuaro has now emerged as the face of resistance against the exodus of PDP heavyweights, positioning himself as a loyalist determined to hold the fort for the party in Delta. Political watchers say the fallout from this move may redefine alliances and set the stage for fierce electoral contests in the years ahead.
