22 Delta Lawmakers, Including Speaker, Defect from PDP to APC

In a significant political shake-up, twenty-two members of the Delta State House of Assembly, including the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, have officially dumped the People's Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The announcement was made by the Speaker during the resumption of plenary on Tuesday after the Easter break. According to Rt. Hon. Guwor, the mass defection was necessitated by the lingering instability and unresolved leadership crisis at the national level of the PDP.

Among those who defected are key principal officers of the Assembly: the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Guwor (Warri South West); Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Arthur Akpowovwo (Ethiope East); and Majority Leader, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi (Aniocha North). Other defecting lawmakers include Perkins Umukoro (Sapele), Okoh Festus (Ika South), Alfred Martins (Warri North), Odior Bernard (Isoko North), Ferguson Onwo (Isoko South II), Bino Obowomano (Isoko South I), Emeka Osamuta (Ndokwa East), and Charles Emetulu (Ndokwa West).

Additional lawmakers who exited the PDP are Oboro Preyor (Bomadi), Anwuzia Isaac (Aniocha South), Oloye Pereotu (Burutu II), Marilyn Okowa-Daramola (Ika North East), James Augoye (Okpe), Frank Esenwa (Oshimili North), Bridget Anyafulu (Oshimili South), Emmanuel Sinebe, Festus Utuama (Ughelli South), Dafe Chukwudi (Ukwani), and Augustine Uroye (Warri South I).

Speaker Guwor declared that the Delta State House of Assembly is now fully aligned with the APC and reiterated the legislature’s support for Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori’s decision to align with the ruling party at the federal level. He urged members to remain united and focused on delivering good governance to the people of Delta State.

Welcoming lawmakers from the Easter recess, Guwor noted that the break provided members the opportunity to consult with constituents. He also revealed that Governor Oborevwori had already signed into law seven bills passed by the Assembly, a testament to the robust collaboration between the Executive and Legislative arms of government.

Speaking to journalists, Majority Leader Hon. Emeka Nwaobi reiterated that the PDP’s leadership crisis left no option but to seek a stable platform in the interest of the state’s development. Nwaobi, who also chairs the House Committee on Information, assured that the 8th Assembly will remain focused on its legislative responsibilities.

He called on Deltans to continue supporting the MORE Agenda of Governor Oborevwori, emphasizing that the defection was a strategic move aimed at ensuring uninterrupted governance and effective service delivery.