The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders in Delta State have challenged the state governor, Sheriff Oborevwori to come clean on rumours of his planned defection to All Progressives Congress (APC).
The PDP leaders under the aegis of Concerned Leaders of PDP, in an open letter, accused the governor of secretly romancing President Bola Tinubu’s chief of staff, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila and the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in order to secure a second term as Delta governor.
While they urged the governor to provide a prompt response to their questions, they noted that they will not accept to be treated like pawns in your political chess game.
Recall that Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, a federal lawmaker and daughter of former Delta State governor, James Ibori, dumped PDP for APC last year. Ibori is a Tinubu contemporary as governor in 1999 and a close ally.
The letter signed by Mr Theophilus Ekiyor; Mr. Ochuko Oghenekome; Mr. Ezekiel Chukwudi, said “We, the Concerned Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Delta State, are compelled to address you in this open letter regarding the very disturbing rumours of your alleged plans to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), to secure your governorship seat ahead of 2027 general elections.
“The rumour mills are agog with stories of your intention of cross-carpeting to the ruling party at the centre, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“That you have been secretly romancing top aides to His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Top presidential aide and allies of the President, mentioned as your point men for your new venture, include; the Chief of Staff to the President, Alhaji Femi Gbajabiamila and the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who are now working to facilitate a meeting between you and President Tinubu on this self-seeking agenda.
“Your ultimate goal, as pointed out by those close to you, is to obtain approval to join the APC.”
The PDP leaders said rumours are deeply troubling and demanded a prompt clarification from the governor, stressing that a delayed response could be considered as glaring evidence of his compromised position.
“Your recent private yuletide meeting with aforementioned presidential aides and others, in Lagos, moments after the general meeting of the states’ governors with the nation’s number one citizen, where your alleged defection plans were reportedly hatched and extensively discussed, has left many of us feeling betrayed and confused.
“We urge you to come clean of your intentions and provide us reassurance about our future in the PDP.”
They further accused the governor of fraternizing with some factional leaders of the APC in Delta State, adding that the move is said to be a strategic move to weaken the strong voices within the APC in the state over his intention.
“We therefore demand that you state in clear terms why you are clandestinely holding nocturnal engagements with a handful of leaders of APC in the State?
“Additionally, there are complaints of your sponsoring dissident groups within the APC in the state.
“This tactic is believed to be aimed at creating more divisions within the party to pave the way for your eventual defection.
“We are also aware that some top leaders of the APC in the State Working Committee are on your payroll. Some of these leaders have received appointments for their boys and regularly get financial gratification, in exchange for their loyalty and support.
“We are very disappointed for this betrayal of trust and confidence. Moreso, the majority of us in PDP who toiled for your emergence as governor are yet to be rewarded in whatever form in almost two years of your reign.
“We condemn your regular liaisons with members of APC within and outside the state. Please desist from it. You should be told in clear terms that it’s anti-party.
“You recently caused a huge embarrassment at Urhobo Progressives Union (UPU) gathering, when you openly endorsed President Tinubu’s policies and programmes – this has raised eyebrows within the PDP.
“Your statement, “If President Tinubu fails, I also fail,” has no other interpretation. It is a clear indication of your intention to join the APC.
“It is sad that you are openly identifying with the opposition in the state. How can a governor elected under the platform of the PDP be doing this?
“It’s sad that this is coming from you, Your Excellency, who was resoundly elected on the platform of PDP.”
The PDP members said the governor betrayed the party when he canvassed support for the president whose failure in governance, they said, was monumental.
“An apparently naive media aide of your’s narrowly escaped being relieved of his appointment recently, when having wrongly interpreted your body language, criticised the inhuman policies and programmes of APC, nay Tinubu’s government.
“The embattled aide was considered a spoiler in the planned odyssey. It took the intervention of well-meaning Deltans for the media aide to escape the sledge-hammers.
“What evidence do we need to confirm your defection talks with APC after the experience of the media aide? It’s more worrisome because the same your very self has been keeping grudges with party faithfuls found to be remotely associating with opposition elements.
“In your case, no one can challenge the boss. Why your sudden loss of faith in PDP? Is it because you knew that you could not win the return ticket on the platform of our party in view of your abysmal performance and policy of exclusion and winner takes all?
“With the government of “family affairs” deeply entrenched and policy of use and dump of especially, the critical elements who facilitated your emergence as the flagbearer of our party, you surely have a cause to worry about your fate in 2027.”
They said the governor missed the point by considering APC as a safe haven, adding that as the leader of PDP in the state, his body language and actions have serious implications for the party’s collective future.
“We cannot afford to have our party’s fortunes decimated and undermined by your personal ambition. Our greatest worries are the teeming PDP representatives in various elective positions and other party faithfuls, who are desirous of contesting elections in 2027.
“Now that you, as governor and leader of the party, is planning to abandon it to contest under the APC, under what party should they express their aspirations? Or are they going to move along with you to the APC?
“These are mind bugling questions you must resolve quickly for everyone to know where they belong. You can no longer keep us in the dark or be silent about your intentions.
“In this respect, we demand transparency and openness, over your intent to jump ship. We are entitled to know the truth. We ask that you address these grapevine stories and provide reassurance of your commitment to the PDP.”
The PDP has remained a beacon of hope and point of anchor for the people of Delta State since 1999. We have worked tirelessly to build the party into a formidable force in the state. We therefore won’t allow anyone to scuttle our well- earned place in the hearts of the people.
“We will not stand idly and watch, while the party’s fortunes are undermined and frittered away through your inordinate desperation to remain as governor at all cost.
“In light of the foregoing, we urge you to clear the air and reassure us of your loyalty, integrity and unwavering commitment to the PDP.
“We await your prompt response. We will not accept to be treated like pawns in your political chess game. We deserve respect and transparency from you.
“In view of these developments, we urge you to reconsider your actions and reaffirm your commitment to the PDP. We are willing to work with you to resolve all issues that may be driving your desire to defect.
“However, if you refuse to address these concerns and continue on the path, we shall be forced to take necessary actions to protect the interests of the party. We hope that you will take our concerns seriously and respond immediately,” they stated.
