By Agbeze Ireke Kalu Onuma, AI-KO
On April 23, 2025, Nigeria’s political landscape witnessed a seismic shift as Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, abandoned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC). This move, framed by Oborevwori as a “strategic alignment” to foster development, saw the collapse of Delta’s entire PDP structure into the ruling APC. While defections are not new to Nigerian politics – recalling the 2014 exodus that birthed the APC – the Delta case epitomizes a deepening crisis of ideological bankruptcy and opportunistic realignments. Such maneuvers, often justified as pragmatic or developmental, mask a corrosive trend: the erosion of democratic accountability, voter trust, and institutional stability. As political elites hop between parties with alarming fluidity, Nigeria’s democracy risks devolving into a transactional marketplace where power, not principle, dictates allegiance.
The Delta defections occur against a backdrop of recurring electoral turmoil. Okowa, who campaigned as Atiku Abubakar’s vice-presidential candidate in 2023, had previously dismissed defection rumors as “laughable,” only to abandon the PDP months later. His successor, Oborevwori, now follows suit, citing nebulous “consultations” with stakeholders. Critics, however, see darker motives: evasion of accountability for alleged mismanagement of Delta’s oil wealth, or a bid to curry favor with President Tinubu’s APC ahead of 2027. These defections are not isolated but part of a systemic rot – a cycle where political loyalty is traded like currency, leaving voters disillusioned and democracy weakened.
Politicians Dey Waka, Democracy Dey Cry
Agbeze Ireke Kalu Onuma, AI-KO
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By Agbeze Ireke Kalu Onuma, AI-KO
On April 23, 2025, Nigeria’s political landscape witnessed a seismic shift as Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, abandoned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC). This move, framed by Oborevwori as a “strategic alignment” to foster development, saw the collapse of Delta’s entire PDP structure into the ruling APC. While defections are not new to Nigerian politics – recalling the 2014 exodus that birthed the APC – the Delta case epitomizes a deepening crisis of ideological bankruptcy and opportunistic realignments. Such maneuvers, often justified as pragmatic or developmental, mask a corrosive trend: the erosion of democratic accountability, voter trust, and institutional stability. As political elites hop between parties with alarming fluidity, Nigeria’s democracy risks devolving into a transactional marketplace where power, not principle, dictates allegiance.
The Delta defections occur against a backdrop of recurring electoral turmoil. Okowa, who campaigned as Atiku Abubakar’s vice-presidential candidate in 2023, had previously dismissed defection rumors as “laughable,” only to abandon the PDP months later. His successor, Oborevwori, now follows suit, citing nebulous “consultations” with stakeholders. Critics, however, see darker motives: evasion of accountability for alleged mismanagement of Delta’s oil wealth, or a bid to curry favor with President Tinubu’s APC ahead of 2027. These defections are not isolated but part of a systemic rot – a cycle where political loyalty is traded like currency, leaving voters disillusioned and democracy weakened.
This essay examines how Delta’s political carousel reflects Nigeria’s broader democratic decay. By analyzing the motives behind these defections, their historical precedents, and their implications for governance, this critique underscores the urgent need for institutional reforms to salvage Nigeria’s floundering democracy.
The recent defections have sparked widespread concern over the health of Nigeria’s democracy. This recent political realignment, marks a seismic shift in Nigeria’s political landscape, with a states entire PDP structure collapsing into the APC. Governor Oborevwori framed his decision as a strategic move to align with federal priorities and accelerate development. Yet, critics argue the timing – just ahead of the 2027 elections – reveals a deeper pattern of opportunism and self-preservation rather than genuine public interest .
The defections underscore a troubling erosion of political ideology in Nigeria’s democracy, where parties operate as transactional vehicles rather than ideologically distinct entities. Okowa assured supporters he would “take the best path” for the people, yet his abrupt exit from the PDP – a party he once championed – highlights the absence of principled allegiance . Political analyst George Urhie notes that such moves are often driven by a desire to evade accountability, particularly regarding allegations of mismanagement, such as the N1.3 trillion in oil derivation funds meant for Delta’s oil-producing communities . This mercenary approach to politics reinforces public cynicism, as voters increasingly perceive leaders as self-serving rather than stewards of shared values.
The collapse of Delta’s PDP structure into the APC weakens Nigeria’s multi-party democracy, risking one-party dominance in the South-South region. Senator Ned Nwoko, himself a recent defector from the PDP to the APC, criticized Oborevwori’s move, warning that the APC “does not need the governor’s membership to win Delta” and accusing him of seeking to block rival Senator Ovie Omo-Agege’s political ambitions. Such internal dissent within the APC reveals fissures in the ruling party’s cohesion, but it also underscores how defections destabilize both the losing and gaining parties. The PDP, once a formidable opposition, now struggles with internal disarray, as Nwoko lamented: “PDP dey in disarray…di kasala wey dey for di party na wetin dem no go fit solve again” .
Historically, Nigeria’s political landscape has been marred by defections driven by electoral calculus rather than ideological conviction. The 2013 exodus of PDP governors to the APC, which reshaped the 2015 elections, and the 2021 defections of Governors Matawalle, Ayade, and Umahi mirror Delta’s current crisis . These shifts normalize a culture of instability, reducing governance to a game of musical chairs among elites. Festus Ahon, Oborevwori’s spokesperson, claimed the defection followed “wide consultations,” yet analysts link it to President Tinubu’s alleged bid to consolidate power for 2027 . This cyclical realignment undermines voter trust, as mandates secured under one party are transferred to another without public consent.
The implications are dire: defections enable accountability evasion, as leaders like Okowa may shield themselves from probes into past governance failures . They also disenfranchise voters, who find their electoral choices nullified by backroom deals. Moreover, institutions like INEC and anti-graft agencies lack the legal framework to penalize defectors, perpetuating impunity. Deputy Governor Monday Onyeme’s emphasis on zoning as crucial to Delta’s stability rings hollow in this context, as defections disrupt carefully negotiated power-sharing arrangements .
Authoritative voices, including Senator Nwoko and analysts like Urhie, warn that Nigeria’s democracy is at a crossroads. To counter this trend, stakeholders propose anti-defection laws mandating bye-elections for defecting lawmakers, ideological rejuvenation of parties, and civic mobilization to demand accountability . Without such reforms, the carousel of defections will continue to spin, leaving citizens trapped in a cycle of disillusionment. As Nigeria approaches 2027, the Delta defections serve as a stark reminder: when political allegiance shifts with the wind of expediency, democracy degrades into a marketplace of opportunism, where the public interest is bartered for personal gain.
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