Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, has described the recent mass defection of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and other elected and party leaders to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as painful and disappointing.
Damagum made the remarks in Abuja during the presentation of the Certificate of Return to Mr. Jude Ezenwafor, the PDP governorship candidate for the upcoming Anambra State election.
He expressed dismay over the defection, citing the party’s unwavering support to Delta State in previous elections.
“It is very sad and unfortunate because, to me, if there’s any state that should think that way, not Delta, because the party has been very magnanimous,” he said.
Damagum noted that the defectors did not cite any wrongdoing by the party, adding, “I thank God that in their message, they didn’t say the party did anything wrong to them other than good.”
He described the decision as painful, emphasizing the support the PDP had extended to Delta State, including the emergence of the current governor and his predecessor, who was also the party’s vice presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections.
“We least expected this action from them. All the same, this is a party that has seen more than that, but it’s still standing,” Damagum said.
He also announced plans by the party to take immediate action in reorganizing its structure in Delta State.
“I want to use this opportunity to say we’ll take over our structures immediately,” he added.
Damagum further stated that the 2027 general elections would not be determined by the number of governors a party has but by the support of Nigerians
