Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has dismissed rumours circulating in certain sections of the media that he is planning to defect to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).
The governor clarified that his recent trip to Ghana, alongside other PDP governors, was for bilateral relations between Delta State and Ghana, not for political purposes.
It had earlier been reported that Governor Oborevwori “sneaked” into Ghana on Monday, ahead of the inauguration of John Dramani Mahama as President of the Republic of Ghana, to meet with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to discuss his rumored defection to the APC.
However, in a bid to address the speculation, Governor Oborevwori took to his official Facebook page on Monday night to refute the claims. He categorically denied any political undertone to his visit to Ghana, stating:
“It was a privilege to pay a courtesy visit to the President-elect of Ghana, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, earlier today alongside my brother governors. “This visit will enhance the bilateral relations between our states and, by extension, strengthen the ties between our beloved country, Nigeria, and our sister nation, Ghana.”
Governor Oborevwori described the rumors of his defection as untrue and baseless, alleging that they were concocted by opposition elements in the state.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, he said, “Some elements in the opposition party in the state feel threatened by the governor’s rising acceptance and his bridge-building efforts across political divides.
“Deltans are urged to disregard these rumors as the handiwork of mischief makers.”
Ahon emphasized that Governor Oborevwori remains fully committed to collaborating with the federal government for the overall benefit of Delta State and Nigeria as a whole.
According to the statement: “Governor Oborevwori has no reason to defect to any other party, given his wide acceptance within the PDP and the overwhelming support he enjoys from well-meaning Deltans and residents.
“The governor remains focused on delivering the MORE Agenda as promised during his electioneering campaigns.”
The statement urged Deltans to ignore the rumors, reiterating that they were the work of “mischief makers and fifth columnists” attempting to sow discord and distract from the Governor’s administration’s developmental efforts.
