The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has downplayed the defection of Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, to the All Progressives Congress (APC), which marks the end of the party’s 26-year dominance in the state. The two leaders, along with their political structures, abandoned the PDP on Wednesday.

In response, the PDP’s acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, addressed the defection during the presentation of a certificate of return to the party’s governorship candidate for the upcoming Anambra State election. Damagum described the defection as “very sad and unfortunate” but stated that the party was leaving its “fate in the hands of God.”

Damagum also pointed to the resilience of the party, recalling how the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, had left the PDP before the 2023 elections but still secured millions of votes without backing from any governor. He emphasized that the 2027 election would not be about the number of governors or leaders a party had, but about the condition of ordinary Nigerians under the current administration.

“The 2027 election is not about how many governors or so-called leaders a party has. It’s about President Tinubu and the condition of Nigerians. This election will be APC versus Nigerians,” Damagum stated.

He also addressed the impact of defections, stressing that they would not change the ultimate outcome of the election, which he believed would be decided by Nigerians suffering under the current economic policies. “Policies are not made for governors or senators. They are made for the people  and today, the people are suffering. This hardship is not a coincidence; it’s a design. Nigerians will rise to rescue themselves,” he asserted.

Damagum concluded by reiterating the PDP’s commitment to its cause and faith, stating, “There is no challenge that is insurmountable. I thank God we are all people of faith. We know there is a limit to whatever one can do other than what God has designed.”