Five days after Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and former governor Ifeanyi Okowa defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Nigerians on social media platform X have unleashed heavy criticism against them.
The defection, which occurred on April 23, was met with a mixed reaction — some praised the move, while others expressed deep disapproval. The controversy reignited on Monday after a 25-minute video surfaced in which Oborevwori claimed that Deltans were happy with the administration’s progress.
“The people of Delta State are happy because they are seeing development and improvement, and we will continue to do more for our people,” the governor said. “Our ‘MORE agenda’ will surely be delivered in Jesus’ name. We urge everyone to keep supporting this administration as we move the state forward.”
However, many Nigerians disagreed sharply with his assertions.
An X user, @GenzPapi, fired back: “We’re not happy!! Give us companies and light.. apart from roads, what have you done again?”
@KingRudyjr added, “You have brought Delta State to darkness, as APC is a darkness party @RtHonSheriff.”
Expressing further frustration, @AmMrPlenty wrote, “Two years in, and you’re still chanting ‘the MORE agenda will be delivered in Jesus’ name’? Delta is too blessed to be cursed with useless leaders. Billions wasted, lives wasted. Who did we offend to deserve this?”
Another user, @ab_ochuko, challenged the governor to face the people directly: “Since you decamped to APC, go and ask the people again, go to the streets. THEY ARE NOT HAPPY.”
In another post, @Julius78587 declared, “You failed the people of Delta the moment you decided to bow to PBAT [President Bola Ahmed Tinubu].”
Both Oborevwori and Okowa defended their decision, stating it was driven by the best interests of the state and its people. Speaking on Monday, Okowa explained, “As I said on the day of our defection, it was not about me or the governor — it was about the need to connect to Abuja. Delta contributes significantly to national revenue, and there is a need to access that goodwill and resources.”
Okowa’s defection also comes at a time when he is under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of diverting 13 per cent derivation funds between 2015 and 2023. He is also being probed for allegedly misappropriating N40 billion meant for Delta State’s LNG offshore investment.
