Senator Ned Nwoko’s recent exit from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has stirred political debates in Delta State, with an aide to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Fred Oghenesivbe, attributing the move to fears over his political future.
Nwoko, who represents Delta North Senatorial District, formally resigned from the PDP on Friday, submitting a letter to his Ward 8 Chairman. In the letter, dated 30 January 2025, he cited internal divisions and deepening factionalism within the party as his reasons for leaving.
He wrote, “I write to formally resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a party I have proudly served as a foundation member since 1999.”
Nwoko further lamented the disunity within the party, stating, “My decision to resign is, first and foremost, due to the deep divisions and factionalisation within the party. This fragmentation has made it increasingly difficult to foster unity and advance the collective interests of our people. Just this week, on 29 January, top party functionaries degenerated to the lowest levels, physically fighting one another due to the stated factions, which have become irreconcilable.”
He assured his supporters that despite leaving the PDP, his commitment to Delta North remained unwavering. “While I bid farewell to my membership in the PDP, I assure all party members and my constituents of my unwavering dedication to statesmanship, unity, and the advancement of Delta North,” he stated.
However, Oghenesivbe, the Director General of the Delta State Orientation and Communication Bureau, dismissed Nwoko’s explanation, linking his defection to his political calculations for the 2027 governorship race.
“Senator Ned Nwoko defected because he is scared of not getting the PDP ticket in 2027. We all knew he would leave the party sooner or later. It is about 2027 politics and securing a ticket to run,” he claimed.
According to Oghenesivbe, Nwoko had become increasingly isolated within the PDP structure in Delta State and had not been actively engaging with party leaders, particularly Governor Oborevwori, who now leads the party in the state.
“In Delta today, Senator Nwoko has been disconnected from the PDP structure and has not been working with party leaders in the state. As of today, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is the leader of the PDP in the state, and Senator Nwoko has not been engaging well with the governor. So, Nwoko is somehow scared that he may not get the PDP ticket in 2027 because he has misrepresented our party at the national level,” Oghenesivbe stated.