Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, Chairman of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW), has praised the defection of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his deputy, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and the entire Delta State executive cabinet to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Abe described the move as a significant boost for the APC’s influence and political base in Nigeria’s South-South geopolitical region. In a statement released by his media aide, Parry Saroh Benson, Abe emphasized that this development highlights the strength and inclusivity of Nigeria’s democracy under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to Abe, true democracy thrives where individuals are granted the freedom to associate and make political choices without coercion. He noted that the recent increase in federal allocations to states under the Tinubu administration has allowed governors who are genuinely committed to public service to improve governance and development in their regions. Abe believes that Governor Oborevwori’s defection is driven by a desire to align more closely with the federal government in order to fast-track development for Delta State. He applauded the move as a positive and strategic decision for the state’s advancement.
Abe also defended the decision against critics who suggest that President Tinubu is pushing Nigeria toward a one-party system. He recalled the precedent set by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2007 while still in office to pursue presidential ambitions. He argued that political realignments are a normal feature of democracy and advised the PDP to focus on reorganizing itself rather than blaming the ruling party for its internal challenges.
Furthermore, Abe urged key APC leaders in Delta State, including Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Minister Festus Keyamo, and Chief Ayeni, to welcome and support Oborevwori and his allies, stressing that the APC under Tinubu’s leadership is broad-based and open to all Nigerians seeking genuine national development.