In a sweeping political shake-up, the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, and 21 other lawmakers have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing deepening internal crises within the PDP.
The mass defection took place on Tuesday during a plenary session, where Speaker Guwor formally announced the move by reading 22 separate letters each submitted by the defecting lawmakers, including himself—declaring their resignation from the PDP.
According to a Vanguard report, the lawmakers pointed to persistent leadership instability and factional divisions within the PDP, particularly in the South-South zone, as the main reasons for their departure. They argued that the ongoing turmoil had eroded their trust in the party’s ability to provide a united and effective platform.
The defectors expressed concern that the internal strife was not only damaging their legislative work but also jeopardizing the political future of the state. They said their decision to join the APC was driven by the desire to align with a more cohesive and forward-looking political structure that could better serve their constituents.
The defection marks a significant turning point in Delta State politics, dealing a heavy blow to the PDP’s dominance in a region long considered one of its strongholds.