The defection of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has set the stage for a potential leadership tussle within the party. His move comes just days after the collapse of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) structures across Delta’s 25 local government areas and wards into the APC.
Despite Oborevwori’s high-profile entry, Ovie Omo-Agege, the former deputy senate president and the APC’s gubernatorial candidate in 2023, insists he remains the leader of the ruling party in the state.
The APC constitution does not explicitly define leadership at the state level. However, governors traditionally assume control, leveraging their political influence and access to state resources. This convention now places Oborevwori in a strong position to steer the party’s affairs in Delta.
According to BusinessDay, Omo-Agege, who has been managing the party alongside Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, maintained his leadership claim despite not currently holding any elected office.
Party insiders acknowledge that while Omo-Agege has played a significant role in keeping the party structure intact, it is customary for sitting governors to become de facto leaders upon joining the APC.
“Currently, Omo-Agege is not holding any political office; he is just saying he remains the leader of the party in Delta State because he has been holding the party together with Festus Keyamo in the state. We all know that the governors are the de facto leaders of the party. They usually dictate the terms,” Vanguard quoted a party insider.
Meanwhile, Keyamo has publicly recognised Oborevwori as his leader, signaling a shift among key figures within the party towards aligning with the governor’s leadership.
“Today is the day the Lord has made in Delta State. Finally, finally Delta is APC! Thank you, Mr. President for your leadership that has attracted the best to our Party. Thank you, my leader & Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori for your foresight and courage in taking this bold decision,” Keyamo said in a post on X welcoming the defectors last week.
While welcoming the governor and the former PDP members into the APC, Omo-Agege emphasised unity and collaboration, assuring stakeholders that the transition is being handled with care.
“In line with outcomes of deliberations with the national leadership of our party, the Progressive Governors Forum, and Delta APC stakeholders, I wish to assure all stakeholders that any issue arising from this development is being carefully considered and managed with prudence and foresight, in the best interests of our party and our beloved state.
“Let us embrace this development with unity, understanding, and a shared commitment to the progress of Delta State and Nigeria,” Omo-Agege said in a statement on Sunday.
However, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Umar Ganduje, the APC national chairman, and other party bigwigs will officially welcome Oborevwori, Ifeanyi Okowa, his predecessor and vice presidential candidate of the PDP in the last general elections, and other defectors at a mega rally in Asaba today (Monday).
