Governor Oborevwori Missing as APC Governors Gather to Receive Defectors
Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was noticeably absent during a crucial meeting of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) held Saturday night in Abuja, First Class Gists has learned.
The meeting, hosted at the Imo State Governor’s Lodge in the Federal Capital Territory, was primarily convened to welcome recent defectors to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Despite his recent defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling party, Oborevwori did not make an appearance.
Governor Oborevwori, who emerged victorious under the PDP banner in the 2023 elections, made headlines earlier in the week when he and his political allies—including former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa—announced their exit from the opposition. The move, they claimed, was in the best interest of Delta State, citing the APC as a more viable platform moving forward.
Among those present at the APC meeting were Delta North Senator Ned Nwoko, Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo, former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege, APC National Secretary Felix Morka, and one-time gubernatorial aspirant Great Ogboru, alongside other lawmakers.
The wave of defections from PDP to APC has sparked heated conversations among political analysts and the general public, especially with Okowa—a key PDP figure and the party’s 2023 vice presidential candidate—crossing over. Many see it as a significant setback for the PDP’s chances in the 2027 elections.
However, some party heavyweights have downplayed the impact. Speaking during a recent appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, PDP elder statesman Bode George questioned the rationale behind the mass movement.
“What tangible change has the APC brought to Nigerians? People are frustrated. What do defectors hope to achieve there beyond personal gain?” George remarked.
He added that Delta remains a traditional PDP stronghold and expressed confidence that those who left may eventually return. “We’ve seen this before. They often come back. The APC, at its core, operates more like a private club than a democratic party,” he said.
Despite the political shake-up, PDP leaders such as Atiku Abubakar, Bukola Saraki, and George remain optimistic about the party’s resurgence ahead of the next general elections.
