BY AUSTIN OYIBODE
Sen. Ned Nwoko has said the defection of the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to the All Progressives Congress (APC) must go beyond a political shift to spark transformative leadership and a break from the past.
Ned Nwoko, in a powerful public statement on Thursday, described the defection as a
historic moment and urged the Governor to leave behind the political habits that led to the decline of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
“No one pours new wine into old wineskins”, he said, emphasizing that the move should not be symbolic but must reflect a deeper commitment to progressive governance.
In what he further described as a personal charge, Nwoko welcomed the Governor’s realignment with the APC as an opportunity to reshape the political and developmental landscape of Delta and Nigeria at large.
“This moment is not just about shifting allegiances”, he noted. “It is about the bold possibilities now within reach—possibilities like the creation of Anioma and New Delta states”.
The Senator, who represents Delta North and chairs the Senate Adhoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft, affirmed that the APC had already endorsed the creation of the two new states, long before the defection occurred.
This, he said, signaled the party’s readiness to address
longstanding regional imbalances through constitutional amendments.
According to Nwoko, Anioma State would fulfill the long-standing aspirations of the people of Delta North for political identity and parity, while the proposed New Delta would correct deep structural inequalities, bringing governance closer to underserved communities.
He stressed that the APC, now in a strong legislative position, could push through constitutional reforms without making painful concessions. “We are not lobbying from a place of weakness—we are standing in strength”, he declared.
Urging the Governor to fully embrace the APC’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Nwoko called this the “golden hour” for the South and Delta State in particular. “Two new states will mean two new engines of development”, he said, emphasizing improved infrastructure, increased federal allocation, and grassroots democracy as expected outcomes.
In closing, Nwoko challenged the Governor to lead with courage and clarity: “Let us move forward, not cautiously, but courageously—with clarity and conviction”.
All eyes are now on Delta’s leadership to see whether this political shift will translate to meaningful structural change and lasting legacy.
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