ABUJA, Nigeria – In a sweeping political realignment with far-reaching implications, six federal lawmakers and 22 members of the Delta State House of Assembly have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), strengthening the ruling party’s grip on both state and federal legislative power.
The wave of defections was formally announced on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, during plenary in the House of Representatives, where Speaker Tajudeen Abbas read letters of defection submitted by the lawmakers.
Notable among the defecting federal lawmakers are: Victor Nwokolo (Ika North East/Ika South), Julius Pondi (Burutu Federal Constituency), Thomas Ereyitomi (Warri North/South/West), Nicholas Mutu (Bomadi/Patani), one of the longest-serving lawmakers in the National Assembly, Ukodhiko Jonathan (Isoko North/Isoko South), Ezechi Nnamdi (Ndokwa/Ukwuani)
At the state level, Speaker Emomotimi Guwor led 21 other Delta State House of Assembly members in a dramatic exit from the PDP to the APC — a move that analysts say could fundamentally alter the political trajectory of Delta State.
Their decisions come in the wake of recent defections by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, both of whom recently declared for the APC in a highly symbolic move signalling the PDP’s crumbling structure in the state.
The defectors cited “deep-seated internal crises” and “persistent divisions” within their former parties as key motivations.
They accused the PDP and Labour Party (LP) of failing to provide a coherent platform for legislative governance or development-focused representation.
“Our decision is based on our commitment to effective governance and service delivery,” said one lawmaker.
“The endless wrangling in our former parties has made it impossible to focus on the promises we made to our people.”
In a related development, two LP lawmakers — Obetta Chidi (Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South) and Dennis Agbo (Igbo-Eze North/Udenu) — defected to the PDP, signalling further flux within opposition ranks.
The National Assembly has witnessed a cascade of defections in recent months.
In October 2024 alone, multiple lawmakers crossed to the APC, with more following in December, February, and March.
With these latest movements, the APC not only cements its dominance in Delta — a long-time PDP stronghold — but also tightens its majority in the House of Representatives.
