As political campaigns gather momentum in Delta State, the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) on Monday hosted over 1,000 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), across the nine local government areas of Delta North Senatorial District.
The defectors, including party bosses, most of whom come from the Delta Coalition for Equity (DCFE), said they are now ready to work for the victory of the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, governorship candidate, Deacon Yovwaye Chris, and others, ahead of the 2027 elections.
They argued that they are tired of the functioning of APC, which has not considered inclusion as a strong cordon to achieve results.
Receiving the defectors in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area, on Monday, the State Chairman of the party, Dr. Oyidobo Richmond, welcomed them and urged them to return to their wards and start working for the victories of the NDC candidates.
Richmond said the NDC had no competitors in the state, adding that Peter Obi’s performance when he was governor of Anambra State and his clean record had attracted more people to the NDC.
He said: “I want to welcome you to our great party; this is the party of victory. In NDC, we do not discriminate. There are no old members or new members. We are all equal; that is why we will win.”
“Also, I want them to return to their respective districts and local governments to work. It is their ability in the party that will determine their reward in the NDC. We give everyone equal opportunities. So we must work hard to give them a landslide victory here.”
Defectors from Delta North Senatorial District were led to the NDC by a former DCFE coordinator, Chief Alex Ikpeazu, who promised to ensure that the NDC took over the state.
Ikpeazu, a philanthropist and community leader, commended the NDC gubernatorial candidate in the state, Prince Yovwaye Chris, for charting the right political path for Delta State, adding that the state would do better under the NDC, especially as more than 1,000 members had resigned from the APC to join the NDC.
He said: “The people of Delta North have been marginalized, deprived and oppressed, especially by those who abandoned the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in favor of APC. We are tired of being abandoned. The people were simply waiting for someone to show the way, and that time has come.”
Governorship candidate Deacon Yovwaye Chris warmly welcomed the defectors into the party. However, expressing his joy at the defection to his party, he advised them to be humble so that they could benefit from the dividends that would accrue to the party.
He described the defection as a “movement” rather than a breakout. “This is not an abandonment, it is a movement. We welcome them with open arms. We thank the DCFE for organizing the growth of the party.”
He assured the new members of equal rights and urged them to respect the party’s constitution. “Anyone who comes with interest should leave it,” he advised. “Let’s work together to achieve our goals. All anyone wants is through consultation with the party leadership.”
He attributed the desertion to the work of the Lord. “It’s a sign of the growing strength of the party,” he said. “The defection rate to NDC across the country is alarming. It can only be God who is behind this exodus. Imagine APC saying that people are a religion, about to move en masse to NDC. It is unbelievable.”
the President of the Senate, Hon Harron Udaka; APC leader in Delta North, Chief Steve Ikpade; and 100% Overdo Convener, Nacbeth Ojugbeli, said the large number of NDC defectors is a significant political development, and advised new members to be humble and align with the party structure to ensure continued growth.
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