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Umar Damagum, acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has described the defection of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as “deeply unfortunate.”
Speaking during the presentation of a certificate of return to Ezenwafor Jude, the PDP’s governorship candidate in Anambra State, Damagum expressed disappointment over the governor’s decision, especially considering the party’s longstanding support for Delta State leadership.
The defection comes amid a growing wave of high-profile departures from the PDP to the ruling APC, with reports suggesting that more governors and key party figures are contemplating similar moves.
Despite this trend, Damagum emphasized that the outcome of the 2027 general election will not be determined by the number of governors aligned with a party, but by the will of the Nigerian people.
“If there’s any state that should not have taken this path, it is Delta,” Damagum stated. “We gave them everything — our full support for the governor, the former governor, and even our vice presidential candidate in 2023. This action was the last thing we expected from them.”
Damagum stressed that the upcoming election will be a clear contest between the APC and everyday Nigerians who are bearing the brunt of President Bola Tinubu’s policies. “The ordinary citizen is feeling the pain — and the choice is theirs. This is APC versus the Nigerian people,” he said, calling on the public to unite and take charge of the country’s political future.
He emphasized that the defection was not due to any fault of the PDP, noting that even the defectors acknowledged the party’s support. “It was their decision, but the pain is ours—not because we failed, but because we gave Delta State our all,” he said.
Despite the setback, Damagum reassured members of the PDP’s strength and resilience. “We’ve faced tougher challenges and are still standing,” he affirmed.
