PDP Heads to Court Over Delta State Elected Officials Decamping to APC

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has initiated a legal challenge against Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, and other top officials from Delta State who recently defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The party’s leadership has instructed its legal team to prepare a lawsuit, citing the fact that the defectors were originally elected on the PDP platform.

According to Amb Umar Damagum, the party’s Acting National Chairman, the PDP is determined to reclaim its mandate and protect its interests. The party has also appointed Emma Ogidi, the Caretaker Chairman for the South-South zone, to take charge of the Delta State PDP and identify new leaders to fill the vacuum left by the defectors.

The mass defection, which occurred on April 23, 2025, has sent shockwaves through the political establishment, with many viewing it as a significant blow to the PDP’s stronghold in the region.

The defection was reportedly influenced by the “Hurricane Tinubu” phenomenon, a term used to describe the political changes sweeping the country.

The PDP’s decision to take legal action has raised questions about the implications of the defection on the country’s political landscape. Opposition parties have expressed concerns about the potential for a one-party state, citing the PDP’s loss of key strongholds as a worrying trend.

As the PDP prepares to hold its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on May 27, the party’s leadership will face tough questions about its strategy and direction. The meeting is expected to provide a platform for party leaders to discuss the recent developments and chart a course for the future.