About 1,000 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), including former party leaders across the nine local government areas of Delta North Senatorial District, have defected to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
The defectors, many of whom are members of the Delta Coalition for Equity (DCFE), announced their decision at a gathering in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of the state on Monday.
Led by a former Convener of the DCFE, Chief Alex Ikpeazu, the defectors said they were leaving the APC to support the NDC and its candidates ahead of the 2027 presidential, governorship and other elections.
Receiving the defectors, the NDC state chairman, Dr Oyidobo Richmond, urged them to return to their respective wards and local government areas to mobilise support for the party.
Richmond said the growing support for the NDC was partly driven by the record of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, particularly his tenure as governor of Anambra State.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Ikpeazu said the decision was driven by what he described as years of marginalisation of Delta North.
He said, “The people of Delta North have been marginalised, deprived and oppressed, particularly by those who left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to APC. We are tired of being neglected. The people were just waiting for someone to lead the way, and that time has come.”
Ikpeazu said the group would also support the NDC governorship candidate in Delta State, Deacon Yovwaye Chris, in the 2027 election.
Chris welcomed the new members and urged them to work within the party structure, while calling on them to abide by the NDC constitution.
He described the development as a “movement” rather than decamping and advised the defectors to pursue their interests through consultation with the party leadership.
Also speaking, the NDC Senatorial Chairman, Hon. Harron Udaka; an APC leader in Delta North, Chief Steve Ikpade; and the Coordinator of 100% Overdo, Nacbeth Ojugbeli, urged the new members to work with the party structure.
