Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s recent defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has triggered a heated exchange between President Bola Tinubu’s aides and the coalition of opposition leaders led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, took to social media to claim that the defection marked the collapse of the coalition opposing the APC. “Atiku’s political future looks bleak. The coalition that he, El-Rufai, Babachir, and new member Baba-Ahmed are cobbling together has disintegrated,” Onanuga said.
Tunde Rahman, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media, Publicity, and Special Duties, also weighed in, stating, “Things are getting perilous and the future looks so bleak for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s coalition.” Rahman noted that the defection of key PDP figures, including the entire Delta State PDP leadership, has dealt a significant blow to Atiku’s coalition.
The defections were seen as a major shift in the political landscape, with Senator James Manager explaining the decision to leave the PDP, saying, “We cannot continue to be in a sinking boat.” Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Aniagwu Charles, further elaborated on the reasons for the defection, stating, “There is a need for us to adjust our drinking patterns… to further advance the cause of security and the welfare of our people, and, to a large extent, ensure that development in Delta is not truncated.”
Atiku’s coalition, which includes prominent opposition leaders such as Nasir El-Rufai and Kayode Fayemi, had been working to unseat President Tinubu in the 2027 elections. However, efforts to get a reaction from Atiku’s camp were unsuccessful, as messages sent to his spokesman, Paul Ibe, were not responded to.
