Ahon, Aniagwu: PDP’s Troubles Made APC the Only Viable Option for Delta
ASABA/Nigeria: The Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, Sir Festus Ahon, and the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, have defended the state’s recent political realignment from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that the move was driven by the need to secure Delta’s political and developmental future.
Speaking separately during media appearances, both officials emphasized that the decision was a collective, strategic choice informed by the growing instability at the national level of the PDP and the urgent need to align with the federal government to accelerate development in the state.
On “Inside Our Government,” a radio programme on Wazobia FM, Ahon described the leadership crisis rocking the PDP as a major threat to the political aspirations of Delta State. He pointed to the ongoing tussle over the National Secretary position as a clear sign that the party lacked the internal cohesion needed to win future elections. “You can’t imagine going into an election with two individuals claiming the position of National Secretary. Who will sign nomination forms? Who will organize primaries?” he asked. “It would be a costly mistake to mortgage our political future to such confusion.”
Ahon noted that political alignment with the federal government would open doors for greater infrastructural development and federal appointments. “There are significant benefits for a state when it aligns with the government at the center. With our current position in the APC, we expect increased federal presence in the state,” he said. He further dismissed allegations linking former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s move to fears of prosecution, describing such claims as baseless and politically motivated.
Echoing similar sentiments during an interview on TVC’s “This Morning,” Aniagwu said the PDP’s failure to address its internal challenges left Delta leaders with little choice but to seek a more stable and promising platform. “The decision to leave the PDP was carefully and primarily taken to avoid leading the state and its citizens into a bleak future, similar to what happened in Zamfara State,” Aniagwu said.
He explained that although the PDP had remained strong in Delta, national developments rendered it increasingly vulnerable. “The last straw was when the PDP governors met in Ibadan and decided against collaboration with other parties, even when the party’s internal organs were weakened. That decision did not come from a position of strength,” Aniagwu said.
Highlighting the benefits of the new political alignment, Aniagwu pointed to the federal government’s growing attention to Delta State under President Bola Tinubu. “Politics is local. We have evidence that the Tinubu administration is bringing development projects to our state. The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has visited Delta twice to support our people,” he said.
Both officials stressed that the decision to join the APC was not made unilaterally by the governor but was a collective resolution of the PDP’s leadership and stakeholders in the state. “True political actors must align with a platform capable of delivering on their aspirations. As of today, the APC is that platform,” Ahon stated, adding that “the DNA of Delta used to be PDP, but as of today, it is APC.”
Responding to criticisms from some PDP leaders, Aniagwu said individuals who contributed to the party’s fragmentation should refrain from casting aspersions. “Some leaders openly opposed our presidential candidate in 2023. Nonetheless, we ask for understanding because politics must always be driven by the local interest,” he said.
Both officials called on party members and Deltans at large to support the move and work towards ensuring unity, peace, and accelerated development, assuring that the Oborevwori administration remains focused on delivering prosperity across the state.
