By Eseoghene Emuke
The founding leader of the All Progressives Congress in Delta State, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, has reacted to the defection of the state governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and the collapse of all structures of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into the APC.
Emerhor, who was the first politician to contest on the APC platform in Nigeria after its formation in 2013 as the Delta Central Senatorial candidate, said he was excited with the defection of Governor Oborevwori to the ruling APC.
The 2015 APC governorship candidate in Delta disclosed his position in a public letter addressed to Governor Oborevwori on Friday, noting that his desire to make Delta an APC state has been actualised.
Olorogun Emerhor noted that Governor Oborevwori’s defection has ended the leadership crisis rocking the state chapter of the party.
He stated that he was elated with the governor and other elected officials of the PDP’s defection to the APC, stressing that Delta can now sit where other progressive governors in the country are sitting.
“I write to formally welcome you, the leadership of Delta PDP and the multitude of PDP members and supporters in Delta, as you formally lead them to join the APC progressive family in Delta state and throw your heavy weight in support of the Renewed Hope Agenda of our dear President, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
“As the Founding Leader of Delta State APC, it is my unique honor and privilege and a personal dream come true, to personally welcome you to Delta APC in this historic and momentous occasion, when Delta State formally becomes an APC governing State. Starting in June, 2013, when APC began registering members in Delta State to October 2013, when I contested as the first APC candidate in Nigeria and the first APC candidate in the Senatorial bye election and later in 2015 as the first APC Governorship Candidate in Delta State, the dream and goal was on how to convert Delta State into the Progressive politics and policies of the APC National political family. Today, your bold and pragmatic move has made that vision, a reality. I welcome and thank you sincerely.
“Delta becoming an APC state and member of the mainstream of National politics, at these times, is a momentous event. Now, Delta is directly connected to the APC government at the centre and has a seat at the high table where decisions affecting Delta are to be made by our APC government. Delta now has a governor to champion her cause at the Progressive Governors Forum. A governor that is no longer in opposition but working hand in glove with Mr President and can fight and protect the interest of all Deltans.
“And then, there are the direct benefits to the existing Delta APC itself arising from this your master move, my dear Governor. With your one stone, you have solved the leadership tussle that had bedeviled Delta APC chapter. And with the same stone, you now can lead an integrated and united APC that can deliver our President, yourself and other candidates in 2027. As the Founding Leader of the party, let me assure you that this your deft move is well appreciated by the Leadership and teeming members of APC in Delta State. I therefore, congratulate and celebrate you.
“May I seize this opportunity to also extend my hands of felicitation to my brother and former governor, His Excellency Dr Ifeanyi Okowa who is a key architect of this game-changing move. 10 years ago, we were combatants as APC and PDP governorship candidates in 2015. Today, by providence, we are now on the same winning team. I welcome you, Your Excellency. My welcome also extended to all other Leaders and members of the Delta PDP who have now joined the Delta APC progressive team. They are all extended my hands of welcome and felicitations.
“Lastly, I sincerely appreciate the strong leadership of our President, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose love for Deltans is evidently manifested in sanctioning this move that has brought Delta State to the APC family”, Emerho letter partly read.
