In a political twist that could reshape the Delta State landscape ahead of 2027, prominent Ijaw leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have confirmed that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is on his way to joining the ruling party.
The confirmation came during a high-powered meeting of Delta Ijaw APC stalwarts in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area, where the group passed a vote of confidence on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and key party figures, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, the lawmaker representing Delta South Senatorial District.
High Chief Michael Johnny, who led the gathering, made the explosive revelation, stating emphatically that Oborevwori’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is imminent. “Sheriff is coming to APC. Forget what you see on social media—he’s coming,” Johnny said, drawing cheers from party loyalists. “In APC, we are landlords and landladies. As Ijaw people, we welcome all who wish to join us.”
Amid a rising wave of defections from the PDP to the APC in Delta South Ijaw, Johnny emphasized that any Ijaw person willing to cross over is welcome. “Whenever you’re ready, we’ll receive you with open arms,” he added.
The meeting, seen as a strategic show of unity and strength, was attended by heavyweight political figures including Raymos Guana, High Chief Mike Seikegba, Mr. Joe Ekiyor, Sir Theodore Ezonfade, Chief Davi Omare, Hon. Ebitonmo Alapala, Chief Promise Lawuru, Hon. Wurus Fortune, Hon. (Engr.) Joseph Izonowei Sozaowei, and Comrade Blackman Edisemi Mule, among others.
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Reinforcing the group’s united front, Johnny dismissed rumors of factionalism or infighting within Delta Ijaw APC. “There is no leadership crisis in Delta Ijaw APC. We are one, and we stand solidly behind Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas for his remarkable representation of Delta South. He has our loyalty and support,” he declared.
The Ijaw leaders reaffirmed their unwavering allegiance to President Tinubu and the national and state leadership of the APC. “We are loyal to the APC State and National Working Committees, to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and to Senate President Godswill Akpabio. These are the structures we recognize and belong to,” Johnny said.
He was quick to distance the Ijaw APC camp from other political power blocs, asserting, “We are not aligned with the Ovie Omo-Agege or Festus Keyamo structures. We are firmly behind the Elder Omeni Sobotie-led APC State Working Committee. There are no cliques here. No Johnny or Orubebe factions. We are united.”
As the 2027 election season begins to stir, the rumored defection of Governor Oborevwori and the apparent momentum of the Delta Ijaw APC faction could mark a major realignment in Delta State politics—potentially tilting the balance of power in favor of the ruling APC.
