Oborevwori, Okowa, Now Co-Owners Of APC – Shettima

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Monday formally received Governor Sheriff Francis Oborevwori of Delta State, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and their supporters into the All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring that they are now co-owners of the ruling party.

Speaking at the event held in Asaba, the Delta State capital, Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu, said the new entrants were joining the APC as equals, not as guests.

“You are not guests in this house; you are now co-owners. This is now as much your party as it is ours,” VP Shettima said, describing the new APC entrants as giants in Nigerian politics.

The Vice President stressed that the move was a “testimony to the enduring promise” of the APC and highlighted the party’s tradition of unity and dialogue.

“Our tables have always been tables of dialogue, places where every member, no matter how great or small, is welcomed to air their grievances, challenge our direction, and shape our future,” he added.

Reflecting on the APC’s journey since its formation in 2013, Shettima said the party’s resilience was built on collaboration and openness. “Dialogue, not dictation, has been our shield against disintegration,” he noted.

Earlier, APC National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje described the defection of Governor Oborevwori as a historic moment, thanking President Tinubu for providing the leadership that continues to attract key figures to the party. Ganduje formally welcomed the Delta governor into the APC by presenting him with the party’s flag and a broom, the party’s symbol.

Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, also hailed the development, citing the governor’s track record in Delta State as aligning with the APC’s progressive ideology. “Today, when I was driving into Asaba this afternoon, I saw development, I saw the performance of the governor, I saw infrastructure. The state looks like an APC state,” Uzodinma said.

Speaking on behalf of the new entrants, Governor Oborevwori described the move as a “movement, not a defection,” explaining that stakeholders across the state unanimously agreed to join the ruling party. He said all National Assembly members from Delta State would also formally defect to the APC when plenary resumes.

“We want to be in the Renewed Hope Agenda, which is in line with my agenda,” Oborevwori said, assuring that there would be no factionalization of the APC in Delta State.

Former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa said the decision was made in the best interest of Delta State, stressing the need for the state to align with the federal government to attract more democratic dividends.

“This decision is in the best interest of the state. We need to connect to the centre to gain more democratic dividends. It is in the best interest of the state and the people. We need to embrace each other with the oneness of heart. I believe a great result will come forth from this decision,” Okowa said, pledging support for both President Tinubu and Governor Oborevwori.

Governors present at the event included AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara), Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Ahmed Aliyu (Sokoto), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Bassey Otu (Cross River), Babagana Zulum (Borno), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Usman Ododo (Kogi), and Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi).

Other dignitaries included Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Minister of Regional Development Abubakar Momoh, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Senator Abubakar Bagudu, and former Deputy Senate President Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.