President Tinubu declared that the defection of Oborevwori, Okowa, lawmakers, and the collapse of the entire Delta PDP structure into APC is a ‘political tsunami’ never before seen in the history of the country
ASABA — President Bola Tinubu on Thursday described the mass defection of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his predecessor Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, and the state’s PDP structure to the APC as a “political tsunami” unprecedented in Nigerian history.
Speaking at the official defection ceremony held at the Cenotaph in Asaba, Tinubu said:
“This is a political tsunami of unimaginable proportions that has never happened in the history of the South-South and this country.”
Represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu highlighted the significance of the moment, citing the defection of all senators from the state, numerous House of Representatives members, the governor’s cabinet, and 500 councillors across Delta’s 25 local government areas.
“The true measure of a political party lies not merely in the industry, the very name of its members, but in the conviction… when those who once stood across from them crossed the lines of difference to become part of the enduring family we have built,” Tinubu said.
The event marked the collapse of PDP’s near 26-year dominance in Delta State politics.
Who was present?
The ceremony drew:
✔️ 10 APC governors (Imo, Ekiti, Cross River, Edo, Kogi, Kwara, Yobe, Katsina, Gombe)
✔️ APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje
✔️ Ex-Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege
✔️ Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo
Why It Matters
Delta’s defection:
🔹 Ends PDP’s South-South stronghold
🔹 Boosts APC’s 2027 electoral math
🔹 Follows similar collapses in Rivers, Benue
Political analyst Dr. Nkem Okonkwo told Vanguard:
“This isn’t just about numbers—it’s symbolic erosion of opposition credibility.”
With Delta’s 13 House of Reps seats and 3 Senate seats now under APC control, Tinubu’s party gains strategic leverage in the Niger Delta’s political and economic heartland.
Meanwhile, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai downplayed the significance of high-profile defections, describing them as “widely exaggerated” and of little electoral value.
Tinubu also praised Okowa for maintaining a “wonderful relationship” with his successor, calling him a “great leader.”