Former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, has revealed that 10 lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Delta State House of Assembly are preparing to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), signalling a significant shift in the state’s political landscape.
Omo-Agege, who was the APC governorship candidate in the 2023 elections, made this announcement on Saturday while welcoming Chief Itiako Ikpokpo (aka Malik), a two-term chairman of Isoko South Local Government Area, into the APC.
The event took place at Uro-Irri, Delta State, and saw party members and political leaders come together to celebrate the defection.
Addressing the gathering, Omo-Agege claimed that the PDP’s longstanding dominance in Delta State was “rapidly crumbling,” citing the defections as evidence of APC’s growing influence in the state.
“A major realignment in the power structure of the Delta State House of Assembly is looming as 10 lawmakers are set to dump PDP for APC,” Omo-Agege declared, further adding that the party’s momentum is gaining strength.
He went on to explain that with seven APC lawmakers already in the Delta House of Assembly, the defection of the 10 PDP members would bring the APC’s numbers to 17. This, Omo-Agege suggested, could lead to a shift in the House’s leadership, with the opposition party gaining more control.
Omo-Agege attributed APC’s growing strength in Delta to the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu, which he claimed had led to a dramatic increase in the state’s federal allocations, rising to over N1 trillion in just one and a half years.
“The financial improvements under Tinubu’s administration show that APC is delivering good governance. More politicians are aligning with the ruling party because of these achievements,” Omo-Agege stated.
He also described the defection of Chief Itiako Ikpokpo as a crucial turning point for the APC in Delta State. Omo-Agege revealed that he had persistently pressured Ikpokpo to join the APC and was pleased that he had finally made the move. He noted that despite being in PDP, Ikpokpo had been a vocal supporter of his candidacy in 2023.
In his speech, Chief Ikpokpo pledged to strengthen the APC’s presence in Delta State and work towards expanding the party’s political reach across the state.
“We must welcome new entrants with open arms because unity is key in defeating PDP in 2027,” Ikpokpo said.
Echoing this sentiment, the APC Chairman of Isoko South, Vincent Egbogbo, emphasised that the defections were a clear sign of greater victories ahead for the APC.
“The APC is preparing to take over Delta State in 2027, and we must consolidate our efforts to ensure PDP’s total defeat,” Egbogbo declared.
As the defections continue, the APC’s growing influence in Delta State is becoming increasingly evident. With a significant shift in political alliances, the stage is being set for a more competitive political battle in the state ahead of the 2027 elections.
