Vice-President Kashim Shettima says the defection of Sheriff Oborevwori, governor of Delta, and the entire state’s chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is a “political tsunami unprecedented in Nigeria’s history”.
On April 23, Oborevwori and other PDP bigwigs in Delta state defected to the APC.
Speaking in Asaba, the state capital, on Monday at a rally organised to welcome the governor and other new members to the APC, Shettima lauded Oborevwori and Ifeanyi Okowa, the former Delta governor, for their cordial relationship and for making history with the defection.
“What testimony can be greater than the promise of this day?” A political tsunami of unimaginable proportion that has never happened in the history of the south-south region and barely in the history of this country,” the vice-president said.
“A political tsunami of this proportion has never happened where all the members of the upper chamber of the National Assembly are in the APC.
“The speaker and all the members of the house of assembly. So many members of the house of representatives, the governor and his entire cabinet, and 500 councillors across the 25 local government areas of this great state. What testimony do you have greater than this?
“The true measure of a political party lies not merely in the industry, the very name of its members, but in the conviction. It is, in fact, among those who once stood across from them.
“This vindication is even more fundamental. When those who once saw us as outsiders and opponents cross the lines of difference to become part of the enduring family we have built.
“This historic day, therefore, is both a celebration of the enduring promise of the APC and a tribute to the vision, courage, and foresight of the great giants we have come to welcome into the hall of fame of our political party, along with their devoted followers who are joining us today.”
Oborevwori described the development as a “movement” rather than a mere defection, emphasising unity and collective action.
