Twenty-two members of the Delta State House of Assembly (DSHA), elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The speaker, Hon Dennis Guwor, who presented the individual letters of all the defecting members at the resumed plenary of the House on Tuesday, hinged their defections on the instability of the PDP’s national leadership and the fractionalization of the South-South Zonal Executive of the party, which has resulted in division within the PDP.
Guwor further explained that the defection was also in line with Section 109, subsection 1 (g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as altered).
He noted that the DSHA’s membership is now 100 per cent APC, and he thanked its various constituents for giving it the nod to what he described as the progressive pathway.
“My esteemed colleagues, I wish to seize this opportunity to stress the fact that Delta State is one big family. The mass defection by members of the PDP, in the state, led by His Excellency, the Governor, APC, was done in the overall best interest of all Deltans and the State.
“It was an outcome of a wide consultation across the broad spectrum of political stakeholders, which culminated on 23rd and 28th April, 2025 at the Government House and Cenotaph, respectively. We are ever committed to aligning with the federal government to deliver more development to Deltans and the State.
“On behalf of the House, I salute this uncommon courage and exemplary visionary leadership shown by our indefatigable Governor, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori, in taking this very well thought-out strategic decision at this point in time.
“I want to place it on record that as a House, we are with His Excellency all the way in this regard. This renewed hope and partnership between the Government at the Centre and the State must be supported by all and allowed to foster so that we can begin to immediately reap the accruable benefits sooner than later.
“I wholeheartedly enjoined all of us, my dear Honourable Colleagues, to as usual continue to work tirelessly in unison for the progress and interest of all Deltans, for which we were all elected to uphold and took oath to defend”, Guwor stated.
The speaker, while welcoming the lawmakers to plenary after the Easter break, assured that the House would continue to prioritize the welfare and security of Deltans in line with the Legislative Agenda of the 8th Assembly.
“Dear Colleagues, the 8th Assembly, in line with its Legislative Agenda, prioritises the welfare and security of the people in the State. We are committed to the infrastructural and human capital development of our dear State.
“We have leveraged on the power of appropriation of the Legislature to collaborate with the Executive arm of government to deliver unprecedented development in the State. Our youth and women have also benefited from various empowerment programmes and schemes derived from appropriations by the House.
“As a House, we have also demonstrated a strong commitment to our lawmaking duties,” the Speaker stated.
