PDP suffers massive blow as six Delta Reps, Edo Speaker, others defect to APC
…With APC, I can better serve my constituents — Jigawa Assembly Minority Leader
Idowu Adebomi, Ado Ekiti
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been dealt a major political blow as six members of the House of Representatives crossed over to the All Progressives Congress (APC), signalling a shift in party allegiance that could reshape political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The six lawmakers, all from Delta State, made their defection public during Tuesday’s plenary session. Their departure from the PDP was officially acknowledged by the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, who read out their notices of resignation from the party.
Those who defected include Victor Nwokolo (Ika North East/Ika South), Julius Pondi (Burutu), Thomas Ereyitomi (Warri North/Warri South/Warri West), Nicholas Mutu (Bomadi/Patani), Ukodhiko Jonathan (Isoko North/Isoko South), and Ezechi Nnamdi (Ndokwa/Ukwuani), a first-term lawmaker.
The legislators attributed their decision to internal turmoil within the PDP, claiming the unrest had significantly hampered their ability to fulfil campaign pledges and serve their constituencies effectively. They said their defection to the APC was backed by their constituents.
Victor Nwokolo, representing Ika North East/Ika South, pointed to the persistent internal wrangling within the PDP as a major obstacle to effective governance.
“We have carefully observed the situation in our party, and it has become evident that the direction of the PDP is not in the best interest of the people we represent. I am convinced that aligning with the APC will enable me to better serve my constituents,” he said.
Thomas Ereyitomi, who represents the Warri federal constituencies, echoed the sentiment, stating that he could no longer function within a party plagued by unending disputes. He said the instability within the PDP was directly affecting his ability to deliver on his mandate.
The defections are viewed by many as a reflection of broader dissatisfaction within the PDP ranks, particularly in Delta State. They also follow a similar move by the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, who recently switched allegiance to the APC. The cumulative effect of these high-profile defections has strengthened the ruling party’s foothold in the region.
In a parallel development, the PDP itself gained two new members in the House, as Labour Party legislators Obetta Chidi (Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South, Enugu) and Dennis Agbo (Igbo-Eze North/Udenu) defected to the opposition party.
Obetta Chidi, speaking on his decision, cited unresolved internal challenges within the Labour Party as the key reason for his departure. “We have seen that the divisions within our party have made it increasingly difficult for us to fulfil the promises we made to the people. After much deliberation, we have decided to move to PDP, where we believe we can contribute to the progress of our people,” he said.
Meanwhile, in a separate development in Jigawa State, the Minority Leader of the State House of Assembly, Yahaya Zakari Kwarko, also left the PDP to join the APC. Representing the Fagam Constituency, Kwarko announced his defection during Tuesday’s plenary session.
Kwarko explained that his decision was influenced by what he described as the outstanding leadership of Governor Umar Namadi. “I have carefully observed the leadership direction of His Excellency Governor Namadi and I am convinced that aligning with the APC will enable me to better serve my constituents,” he said on the floor of the House.
In response, the Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, Haruna Aliyu Dangyatum, praised Kwarko’s move, describing it as a step in the right direction for the development of the state.
