No More Old Politics”: Nwoko Charges Oborevwori to Lead Delta with Courage
ABUJA/Nigeria: Delta North Senator, Prince Ned Munir Nwoko, has described the defection of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a “historic moment” that must usher in a new era of transformative governance, warning that the move must not be a symbolic political realignment but a bold step toward constitutional and developmental reform.
In a statement issued Thursday and titled “A New Dawn for New Delta and Anioma Statehood,” Nwoko, who chairs the Senate Adhoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft, declared that the defection presents a unique opportunity to restructure Nigeria’s federating units and address decades of regional marginalization.
“This moment is not just about shifting allegiances,” Nwoko said. “It is about the bold possibilities now within reach—possibilities like the creation of Anioma and New Delta states.”
He revealed that the APC had already committed to the creation of the two new states before the wave of defections from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) began, adding that Governor Oborevwori’s move to the APC—along with four other governors—is both strategic and providential.
“As Governor of Delta State, leading the charge among PDP governors now aligning with the APC, you have stepped into a party reenergized and focused,” the senator said, urging the governor to “leave behind the old politics and habits that led to the gradual decline of the PDP in Delta.”
Referencing the Bible, Nwoko warned against political regression. “No one pours new wine into old wineskins,” he said. “Old deals and survival politics must be cast aside. Your defection must not be symbolic, it must be transformative.”
The senator stressed that the proposed Anioma State would fulfill the aspirations of Delta North for political identity and parity, while New Delta would address structural asymmetries and deliver grassroots development across underserved regions of the state.
According to Nwoko, the APC now has the numerical strength to push through constitutional amendments without being forced into compromise. “We are not lobbying from a place of weakness—we are standing firmly in a position of strength,” he stated.
He also described the potential creation of the two states as more than a political adjustment, saying it is an economic imperative. “Two new states will mean two new engines of development, increased federal allocations, better infrastructure, and deepened grassroots democracy.”
Calling on Governor Oborevwori to fully align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Nwoko said this moment represents a turning point for the South and Delta in particular.
“This is the golden hour. Your decision to align with the President ensures that New Delta and Anioma will not be left behind. Let us move forward, not cautiously, but courageously—with clarity and conviction.”
The statement has already stirred conversations in political circles across Delta and beyond, as stakeholders begin to reassess the evolving political landscape and its implications for long-standing demands such as state creation and constitutional restructuring.
With Oborevwori now positioned at the heart of APC power, observers say the coming months may reveal whether the governor will act on Nwoko’s call—or allow what the senator described as “a rare moment in political history” to slip away.
