By Austin Ogwuda
Chronicle of ‘maradonic’ drama from the Archives
*Leadership Newspapers 3 months ago published:
Gov Oborevwori’s Defection Denial Laughable – PDP Leaders
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Leaders in Delta State have expressed doubt over Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s refutals of alleged defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Recall that the Governor’s chief press secretary, Festus Ahon, and chairman of PDP, Chief Solomon Arenyeka, have countered claims of the governor’s planned defection, earlier raised by the party leaders.
The party leaders, under the aegis of Concerned Leaders of PDP, who described the governor’s denials as laughable said the responses so far to the allegations are feeble, empty and pointless.
The leaders, in a statement by Mr. Theophilus Ekiyor, Mr. Ochuko Oghenekome and Mr. Ezekiel Chukwudi, said the governor’s defection is all but certain, adding that they would not be caught off guard.
“We are convinced that Governor Oborevwori is on his way to the APC, and he would soon be signed-in by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR. The signs and facts are there for the intelligent to discern.
“Our findings have shown that the defection is real and on course. The governor didn’t consider these hired hands and handpicked leaders of our party, including the Arenyeka-led state executive, as important to be involved at this stage of discussion with APC.
“They should take their future in their hands and not be cajoled nor deceived by the ill-conceived assurances of Solomon Arenyeka and his always ‘yes sir’ hirelings,” they said.
Stressing that the rumours of the governor’s defection to the APC had been making the rounds for a while, they said Oborevwori’s recent actions and body language suggest that he is indeed considering a move to the APC.
“One of the key indicators of his planned defection is his recent trip to Ghana, where he allegedly ambushed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to perfect his defection plans.
“Governor Oborevwori’s defection would be a betrayal of the trust reposed in him by the people of Delta State.
“He was elected on the platform of the PDP, and it is unacceptable for him to abandon the party that brought him to power.
“Governor Oborevwori has failed to come clean about his intentions and give reassurance about his commitment to the PDP.
“And not the lacklustre attempt to mask the truth by Festus Ahon and Solomon Arenyeka.
“The people of Delta State won’t be fooled by empty denials or half-baked explanations.
“The writing is on the wall, and Governor Oborevwori’s defection to the APC is all but certain. We can only hope that he will reconsider his decision and remain loyal to the PDP.
“However, if he decides to abandon the PDP, we will not be caught off guard. We will take necessary actions to protect the interests of our party and ensure the people of Delta State are not shortchanged,” they said.
Premium Times Nigeria on January 18, 2025 published
The Delta Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, says Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has no plans to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to any other party.
Mr Aniagwu, in a statement made available to reporters in Asaba on Saturday, said the governor was rather committed to keeping his covenant to do more for the people of Delta.
He noted that those peddling the rumours that the governor wants to move to the All Progressives Congress only wished that he join them to swell up their ranks.
“Governor Oborevwori is not only a proud member of the PDP, but remains a leader of PDP both in Delta and Nigeria.
“He is also a performing governor who has been able to show that he can be regarded as the poster governor for the PDP.
“So for those wishing that he is jumping ship, we want to tell them that Oborevwori is not in the business of jumping,” he said.
He added that it was gratifying that the governor had been ranked among performing governors in the country.
“Oborevwori is trying to let Nigerians know that the PDP have the strength to deliver.
“This is even as we continue to cooperate with the president of Nigeria because, at the moment, he does not have any opponent as a president.
“When the governor declared that he needed to support President Tinubu, even as they support the governor for the purpose of bringing good governance, it was in the spirit of patriotism and not on the platform of looking for where to jump to.
“Today, Tinubu is the president. We have an enlightened self-interest that his success cascades into the success of any governor in Nigeria,” Mr Aniagwu said.
The commissioner added that in Delta, the state was not in the business of fighting constitutional authority.
“We are always in the business of supporting those in authority because by so doing, we are also bringing development to our people.
“Oborevwori remains in the PDP. He did not even dream, not to talk of the reality of leaving the party.
“Those who are rumouring are very free to rumour and are very free to wish. Wishing is very free, but for us in the PDP, we know that Oborevwori will remain a poster governor,” he added.
The Punch Newspaper on 7th January 2025 published:
Delta gov denies defection rumours, reaffirms loyalty to PDP
By
Matthew Ochei
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has dismissed spneculations about his potential defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.
Responding to the rumours on Monday, Oborevwori, through his Chief Press Secretary, Festus Ahon, described the claims as baseless and the work of opposition elements in the state.
Reports had alleged that the governor had sent emissaries to President Bola Tinubu and was considering a move to the APC, raising doubts about his reception within the Delta APC fold.
Refuting the claims, Ahon stated, “The rumours of Governor Oborevwori planning to defect to another party are entirely false and were concocted by opposition elements in the state who feel threatened by his growing acceptance and bridge-building efforts across political divides.”
Dr. Latimore Oghenesivbe was not left out too
*Also, the Director General, Delta State Orientation and Communications Bureau, Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe was also very loud in condemning the defection rumours.
He appeared at different times as guest of African Independent Television, AIT prime time morning show ‘KAKAAKI’, several television and radio stations singing the same song – Oborevwori is not defecting!
Poser: So, the question now is: Who is going to apologize for the ‘maradonic’ drama.
