PDP Threatens Legal Action Against Delta Defectors, Moves to Reclaim Mandates
ABUJA, Nigeria – May 1, 2025
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced plans to pursue legal action against Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, former governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and other high-profile party members who recently defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The decision follows an emergency six-hour meeting of the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, where leaders resolved to challenge what they described as the “loss of the party’s mandate” in Delta State.
Legal Steps and Party Strategy
Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum revealed that the party’s National Legal Adviser has been instructed to initiate court proceedings aimed at reclaiming all mandates held by defectors. “We have also instructed the national legal adviser to recover our mandate that they have taken away. The fortune of this party cannot just be left in the hands of our adversaries, so we will take legal action to retrieve those mandates in line with the Electoral Act,” Damagum stated during a press briefing.
The PDP argues that under the Electoral Act, elected officials who defect from the party on whose platform they were elected should vacate their positions. The party maintains that the recent wave of defections-including the governor, his deputy Monday Onyeme, former governor Okowa, commissioners, and local government chairmen-constitutes a violation of this principle.
Reorganization and Recovery Efforts
In response to the mass defection, the PDP has dissolved all existing party structures in Delta State and appointed Emma Ogidi, the South-South Zonal Chairman, to oversee the party’s affairs and lead its reorganization in the state. The NWC also announced plans for a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on May 27 and a National Convention in August to further stabilize and reposition the party.
Reactions and Political Context
Governor Oborevwori, former governor Okowa, and their supporters were formally welcomed into the APC at a high-profile event attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima and APC Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje236. The APC has described the defections as a significant political realignment ahead of the 2027 elections, while the PDP insists it will not surrender Delta State without a fight.
Despite the setback, Damagum assured party supporters that the PDP remains united and resilient: “No amount of intimidation or mischief can bring down this party. It has survived all sorts of machinations in the past, and this one is just child’s play,” he said.
Legal and Constitutional Debate
While the PDP is relying on provisions of the Electoral Act to support its legal challenge, legal experts note that the Nigerian constitution does not require governors or their deputies to vacate office upon defection-such provisions apply only to legislators unless there is evidence of internal party crisis5. This sets the stage for a potentially high-profile legal battle with national implications.
