*Presents certificate of return to Anambra guber candidate
By Folorunso Alagbede
The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has described Wednesday’s defection of the Delta State Governor, Hon Sheriff Oborevwori from the party to the All Progressives Congress, APC, as sad, unfortunate and painful.
The acting National Chairman of the PDP, Ambassador Ilya Damagum said this on Thursday while presenting certificate of return to the party’s candidate for the November 8, this year’s Anambra State governorship election, Mr Jude Ezenwafor at its headquarters, Wadata house, Abuja.
Damagum explained that the Governor’s detection to APC was particularly sad and unfortunate in view of the fact that PDP has been very magnanimous to him (Oborevwori) and the State.
He however vowed that PDP will take back its structures, immediately, by setting up a caretaker in Delta State.
The acting National Chairman of the leading opposition party said, “It’s very sad and unfortunate because to me, if there’s any state that should think that way, not Delta, because the party is very magnanimous.
“I thank God that in their (Governor and his supporters’) message, they didn’t say that the party did anything wrong to them other than good.
‘It’s a decision taken by them, but the pains will be in us not because of anything, but because we have given Delta State all our support, from the emergence of the governor to his predecessor, who also doubled as our vice presidential candidate.
“I think we’ve done it all for them in Delta State. 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.
“I want to use this opportunity to say, we’ll take over our structures immediately by setting up a caretaker committee. We are still taking stocks and we will do that immediately.
“I also want to enjoin our members, both in Delta and the country in general, I want to remind us of what happened in 2023. The DPP can still make it, simple.
“This election in 2027, is not about how many governors you have or how many leaders. It’s about Tinubu and Nigeria.
“The ordinary man is feeling the pinch and the decision is his (Oborevwori). So I want to use this opportunity to tell Nigerians that it is their election. It is APC versus Nigerians.
“It’s not APC versus any governor or senator or anything but APC versus Nigerians.
“So I want to urge all of us to close ranks and rescue ourself from this hardship that is inflicted on us by design, not any coincidence.
“Policies are meant for people, no one else, because you make policy and it’s not for the ordinary people.
We will experience a lot of challenges but there is no challenge that is insurmountable. I thank God we are all people of faith.
“We know there is a limit to whatever one can do other than what God has designed. You may have your own tactics where you cannot outplay God. “We leave our faith in the hands of God and we believe He will help us out of this great situation”, Damagum declared.
The acting National Chairman of PDP commended the party’s candidate for the Anambra guber election for his
“resilience, to commit yourself to being the flag bearer of this party. I know it’s not easy. But your commitment, belief and sincerity, would see us through this election? Victory would be yours”.
Continuing, Damagum said, “I want to encourage you. You have started well. From the evolution of the state executive to your emergence as our candidate, I think what you need to do is to go back and consolidate. I’m going to make sure that everyone is back on board. I assure you of our total support and commitment”.
The PDP governorship candidate, Jude Ezenwafor expressed the firm optimism about his chances of winning the election, with a promise to set a standard in governance when he assumes office.
