An aide to Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Mr. Fred Oghenesivbe, has claimed that Senator Ned Nwoko’s recent defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was driven by his concerns over securing the party’s ticket for the 2027 election.
Nwoko, who currently represents Delta North in the Senate, officially resigned from the PDP on Friday via a letter addressed to the Ward 8 Chairman of Aniocha North Local Government Area in Delta State. In his resignation letter, he cited “deep divisions and factionalisation” within the party as the primary reasons for his decision.
Oghenesivbe’s Response to Nwoko’s Defection
However, Oghenesivbe, who serves as the Director General of the Delta State Orientation and Communication Bureau, dismissed these claims, arguing that the senator’s move was a strategic decision aimed at improving his chances for the 2027 election.
“We all knew it was only a matter of time before he defected. This is about the politics of 2027 and his chances of securing the ticket to run,” Oghenesivbe asserted.
He further argued that Nwoko had gradually distanced himself from the PDP structure in Delta, highlighting his lack of engagement with key party stakeholders in the state. According to Oghenesivbe, “As of today, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is the leader of the PDP in Delta State, and Senator Nwoko has not been aligning with the governor or working closely with PDP leaders in the state.”
Political Implications for 2027
Oghenesivbe emphasized that Nwoko’s actions at the national level had not represented the PDP well, making it difficult for him to secure the party’s nomination for the next election cycle. “Nwoko is understandably concerned that he might not receive the PDP ticket for 2027, as his actions have not represented the party well at the national level,” he added.
The defection adds to the ongoing political reshuffling in Delta State, with analysts speculating on its potential impact on both the PDP and Nwoko’s political future. As political alignments shift ahead of the 2027 elections, all eyes will be on Nwoko’s next move and the reception he receives in his new political party.
