The defection of Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has sent tremors through the ranks of Nigeria’s main opposition party — and acting PDP chairman Umar Damagum isn’t hiding his disappointment.
“This one hurts,” Damagum admitted Thursday, speaking at the presentation of a certificate of return to Ezenwafor Jude, the PDP’s governorship candidate in Anambra. “We least expected this action from Delta.”
Delta, after all, has been a PDP stronghold. It’s also the home state of former governor Ifeanyi Okowa — the party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate.
For Damagum, that makes Oborevwori’s move not just a political loss, but a betrayal of deep-seated loyalty.
“We gave them everything — our full support,” he said, visibly pained.
Oborevwori’s switch comes amid a growing trend: more PDP heavyweights are rumored to be eyeing the ruling party.
The defections raise questions about the PDP’s cohesion ahead of the 2027 general elections.
But Damagum says it’s not about how many governors a party has — it’s about the people.
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“This election in 2027 is not about governors. It’s about Nigerians,” he emphasized. “It is APC versus Nigerians.”
The acting chairman pointed to the hardships facing ordinary citizens, placing the blame squarely on the policies of President Bola Tinubu.
For Damagum, the real battle isn’t political — it’s personal.
“The ordinary man is feeling the pain,” he said. “So I want to tell Nigerians — this is your election. You have the power.”
Despite the sting of Oborevwori’s departure, Damagum remains defiant. “We’ve faced tougher storms,” he said. “And we’re still standing.”
For PDP loyalists, that’s the message Damagum hopes will resonate: disappointment, yes — but not defeat.