Delta North Senator, Ned Nwoko, has advised Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to shelve defection plans to the All Progressives Congress (APC), stating that the ruling party does not need him.

Nwoko stated this at Agbor, Delta State, when members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under the Delta Unity Group (DUG) in Ika Federal Constituency officially defected to the APC.

He expressed confidence that the Delta APC would defeat the governor and his party in the 2027 general elections.

The gathering, attended by APC bigwigs, including Chairman Alhaji Umar Ganduje, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, and Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, marked a boost for the party’s strength in the state.

Notably, there have been rumours of Governor Oborevwori’s intention to join the APC in the past few months, but his Aides have consistently denied them.

According to Senator Nwoko, “Oborevwori wants to come to APC, but tell him to stay where he is. He will be defeated. We don’t want him in the APC.”

Nwoko’s assertion was made against the backdrop of President Tinubu’s purported interest in winning Delta State come 2027.

According to Nwoko, while this might be the reason behind the governor’s desire to join the APC, the party does not need his membership to win Delta State.

Nwoko expressed unwavering confidence in the APC’s prospects in Delta State, assuring the crowd that the next governor of Delta State will emerge from the party, considering the party’s growing appeal due to the PDP’s 25 years of corrupt governance.

“Delta will surely become an APC state come 2027. Twenty-five years of corrupt governance by the PDP in the state is enough. We must take over. The time has come for that to happen,” he added.

He emphasised that the APC is poised to deliver better governance and that the party’s growing strength and momentum will ensure its victory in 2027.

“Don’t let anyone doubt who you are. The next governor will be formed by you. As you go home, tell them that the next governor of Delta State will be formed by the APC. Today, we are emboldened and happy that a large political group like the DUG is following in my footsteps in joining the APC,” Nwoko said.

Senator Ned Nwoko’s stance on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s potential defection to the APC aligns with that of former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.

According to Omo-Agege, the APC is open to welcoming new members from the PDP, but Oborevwori and his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, were not welcome.

Omo-Agege expressed confidence that the APC’s growing strength, bolstered by the defection of over 60% of PDP members since 2023, positions the party to deliver Delta State for President Ahmed Tinubu and sweep the 2027 elections, retaining all Senate seats and winning the House of Representatives and House of Assembly seats.