By Anne Azuka
Twenty-two members of the Delta State House of Assembly, elected under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, have defected to the All Progressive Congress, APC.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor who presented the individual letters of all the defecting members at resumed plenary of the House on Tuesday, 6 May 2025, hinged their defections on the instability of the national leadership of the PDP and the factionalization of the South-South Zonal Executive of the party which has resulted in division within the PDP.
Rt. Hon. Guwor further explained that the defection was also in line with Section 109, subsection 1 (g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as altered).
He noted that membership of the Delta State House of Assembly is now one hundred percent All Progressives Congress, APC, even as he thanked their various constituents for giving them the nod to what he described as the progressive pathway.
He said, “My esteemed colleagues, I wish to seize this opportunity to stress the fact that Delta State is one big family. The mass defection by members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the State, led by His Excellency, the Governor, to the All Progressives Congress, APC, was done in the overall best interest of all Deltans and the State.
“It was an outcome of a wide consultation across broad spectrum of political stakeholders, which culminated on 23rd and 28th April, 2025 at the Government House and Cenotaph, respectively. We are ever committed to align with the Federal Government to deliver more development to Deltans and the State.
“On behalf of the House, I salute this uncommon courage and exemplary visionary leadership shown by our indefatigable Governor, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori, in taking this very well thought out strategic decision at this point in time.
“I want to place it on record that as a House, we are with His Excellency all the way in this regard. This renewed hope and partnership between the Government at the Centre and the State must be supported by all and allowed to foster so that we can begin to immediately reap the accruable benefits sooner than later.
“I wholeheartedly enjoined all of us, my dear Honourable Colleagues, to as usual continue to work tirelessly in unison for the progress and interest of all Deltans, for which we were all elected to uphold and took oath to defend”, Guwor stated.
The Speaker had while welcoming the Lawmakers to plenary after the Easter break, assured that the House would continue to prioritize the welfare and security of Deltans in line with the Legislative Agenda of the 8th Assembly.
He said, “dear Colleagues, the 8th Assembly in line with its Legislative Agenda prioritizes the welfare and security of the people in the State. We are committed to the infrastructural and human capital development of our dear State.
“We have leveraged on the power of appropriation of the Legislature to collaborate with the Executive arm of government to deliver unprecedented development in the State. Our youth and women have also benefited from various empowerment programmes and schemes derived from appropriations by the House”.
Guwor stated, “as a House, we have also demonstrated a strong commitment to our duties of lawmaking.
“Before we proceeded on the Easter break, the House considered, processed, and passed quite a number of critical transformative Bills into law.
“I am glad to report to you that His Excellency, Rt. Hon.( Elder) Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori, Governor of Delta State, has assented to seven of these Bills. Namely: Delta State Physical And Regional Planning Law,2024; Delta State Film And Video Censor’s Board Law,2024; Delta State Electric Power Sector law,2024; Registration And Regulation of Private Vertinary Clinics( Amendment) Law,2024; Child Rights ( Amendment) Law,2024; Delta State Pet Control And Responsible Ownership law,2025; and the Delta State College of Health Technology Ovrode Law, 2025.
“This feat could not have been achieved without your hard work and commitment. I sincerely believe this very high standard we have set should be sustained and even surpassed. As we draw closer to the end of the Second Session, let us endeavour to conclude consideration on all pending Bills before the House. I trust that Committees Chairmen and Members will assiduously consider and turn in their reports on Bills referred to their Committees”, the Speaker pleaded.
