Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has reacted to the defection of Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and current Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to the All Progressive Congress (APC). According to Wike, Okowa’s defection validates his political stand in the 2023 general election.
The former PDP vice-presidential candidate and his successor’s move has been hailed by Wike as a bold and commendable endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership and developmental agenda.
In a statement released by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, Wike described the political shift as “heart-warming” and evidence that Tinubu’s performance is winning over even his former critics. According to Wike, the defections are not just symbolic but deeply significant for the future of national unity and development.
“I commend Okowa and Governor Oborevwori for this heart-warming decision, which must have been informed by the good governance and commitment of President Bola Tinubu to the oneness and development of Nigeria,” Wike declared.
The high-profile exit of Okowa, Oborevwori, and several other Delta PDP leaders has effectively dismantled the party’s long-standing structure in the oil-rich state, signaling one of the most impactful political realignments in the South-South region in recent history. The move has sparked conversations nationwide and is expected to have ripple effects on the political calculations heading into 2027.
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Wike, a once-dominant PDP figure who controversially endorsed Tinubu ahead of the 2023 general elections, says the latest developments validate his earlier political foresight. “I am particularly happy that what I saw before the 2023 presidential election, others are now seeing and are joining the ‘Renewed Hope’ train,” he said.
He also noted that the timing of the defection was crucial, as it allows the Niger Delta region to fully align with the central government and secure more benefits for its people.
Political analysts believe this mass defection could shift the balance of power in the South-South, a region historically loyal to the PDP. With influential figures like Okowa and Oborevwori now backing Tinubu, the APC may find renewed momentum as it consolidates power ahead of the next electoral cycle.
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: Nigeria’s political terrain is undergoing a seismic shift, and the latest defections could redefine alliances and reshape the country’s political future.
