Delta State’s commissioner for works (rural roads) and public information, Charles Aniagwu, says the challenges currently faced by the PDP, particularly at the national level, necessitated the decamping of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and others to the ruling APC.

Mr Aniagwu disclosed in a statement on Saturday in Asaba that remaining in the PDP due to the challenges would not advance the development of Delta and its people.

Citing Zamfara’s situation in 2019, he said the governor defected from the PDP “to avoid the state and its citizens into a bleak future.”

He recounted that elected candidates in Zamfara APC were removed in 2019 due to irregularities in the party’s nomination process.

“With what is happening in the PDP, we believe the efforts to address these issues are not strong enough to prevent a similar situation in 2027,” Mr Aniagwu added.

“In Delta, the PDP was actually strong before our decision to move. So, it’s not a question of the PDP being weak in Delta that led to this development.

“I am very sure we have followed the developments at the national level of the party.

“The last straw was when the party’s governors met in Ibadan and decided not to collaborate or merge with anyone. Instead, they invited others to join the PDP,” the commissioner said.

The commissioner also said the defection to the APC was driven by the desire to strengthen the relationship and cooperation with the federal government under President Bola Tinubu.

The commissioner, who disclosed that the defection was collective, said the state government had evidence that President Bola Tinubu’s government was bringing projects to Delta.

He said First Lady Remi Tinubu’s visit to Delta and “issues in the PDP” resulted in the party leaders’ defection.

“In a democracy, the majority view matters, and PDP leaders and stakeholders in Delta called on the political family to join the APC to advance the growth and development of our state.

“The people felt the PDP no longer offered a viable political future, and they did not want to fade into political irrelevance, hence the move,” he said.

Mr Aniagwu advised critics, particularly the PDP leaders, Bukola Saraki and Olabode George, to refrain from commenting, especially when their past actions contributed to the fragmentation of the PDP.

“You will recall that in 2023, some leaders openly opposed the party’s presidential candidate. Nonetheless, we ask them to be understanding because, ultimately, politics is local.

“This move is to ensure the continued progress and welfare of our people, which is why we are in politics in the first place,” he said.

On April 23, Mr Oborevwori, his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, and the entire state PDP structure defected the ruling APC.

(NAN)