Senator James Manager Leads PDP Exodus to APC in Delta State Political Earthquake
ASABA, Nigeria — Senator James Manager, a founding member and former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State, has spearheaded a mass defection of party leaders to the All Progressives Congress (APC), including Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and the entire PDP state structure.
Defection Details
The move, announced on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, after a six-hour stakeholders’ meeting at Delta State Government House, marks the collapse of the PDP’s dominance in the South-South region. Senator Manager, who served as Delta’s first PDP chairman in 1998, described the decision as a “collective and unanimous” response to the party’s internal decay.
“We cannot remain in a boat that is clearly capsizing,” Manager told journalists. “This is not a solo decision but a shared vision to reposition Delta for progress through alignment with national governance.”
The defection includes Deputy Governor Monday Onyeme, House Speaker Emomotimi Guwor, commissioners, and all 25 local government chairmen. A formal declaration ceremony is scheduled for Monday, April 28, where APC leaders will outline integration plans.
Strategic Realignment
Manager emphasized that the move followed months of consultations among PDP stakeholders, including former Governor Okowa, who was Atiku Abubakar’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate.
“The PDP’s dwindling cohesion made collaboration with federal initiatives impossible,” said Commissioner for Information Charles Aniagwu. “Staying felt like drinking flavorless palm wine. We needed to change the drinking party.”
Governor Oborevwori’s Chief Press Secretary, Festus Ahon, confirmed the defection, stating it would enable “closer collaboration with President Tinubu’s administration to accelerate state projects.”
Cabinet Reshuffle and Power-Sharing
SaharaReporters revealed plans to dissolve the state cabinet under a 60/40 power-sharing formula, with PDP allies retaining 60% of positions and APC members taking 40%. A principal assembly member stated the reshuffle aims to “rebalance Delta’s political structure” ahead of 2027 elections.
Political Implications
The exodus deals a catastrophic blow to the PDP, which has governed Delta since 1999. Analysts warn it could trigger further defections nationwide, weakening opposition cohesion ahead of the 2027 polls.
APC chieftains celebrated the move at a rally in Effurun, where High Chief Michael Johnny declared, “Delta is now an APC state,” amid chants of “Tinubu! Tinubu!”
Statements from Key Figures
- Senator James Manager: “We’ve had contentious debates, but the PDP’s disintegration left no choice. This is about Delta’s future.”
- Charles Aniagwu: “This realignment unlocks federal partnerships for roads, schools, and security.”
- APC National Leadership: “Delta’s defection confirms APC as Nigeria’s only national party.”
