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By Myke Agunwa
As the All Progressives Congress (APC) rolls out the red carpet to receive new defectors from Delta State, the Senator representing Delta North, Ned Nwoko has cautioned the Gov Sheriff Oborevwori, to leave behind the “old habits” of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as he begins a new political journey in the APC.
Senator Nwoko elected on the PDP platform had a few months ago, joined the APC. It is believed that the move was to position himself to contest against the incumbent governor in 2027.
However in a counter move, the governor, his predecessor and Deputy Presidential Candidate of the PDP Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, the entire State Assembly, Local government executives and National Assembly members emptied into the APC last week.
In a welcome statement addressed to the governor on Sunday, Nwoko warned that the move must not just be symbolic but transformative, urging Oborevwori to “leave behind the politics of survival and step into the politics of legacy”.
“No one pours new wine into old wineskins. Old habits, old politics, and the old deals that led to the gradual decline of the PDP in Delta must be left behind,” Nwoko said.
He reminded the governor that the APC government has commenced the process of creating Anioma State, and urged the governor to throw his weight behind to bill that will correct the imbalance in Delta political equation.
He praised the governor’s decision to join the APC, describing it as a bold step that opens new possibilities for Delta state and Nigeria’s political future.
He noted that the APC, “reenergised and focused,” had already begun laying the groundwork for constitutional amendments, including the creation of Anioma and New Delta states.
“Chief among these is the creation of two new viable states: Anioma and New Delta.
“Let me remind you that this agenda was declared a done deal by the party leadership long before your defection, a testament to the APC’s commitment to correcting historical imbalances and ending regional marginalization, ” he said.
The senator asked the governor to lead the charge for constitutional reforms and demonstrate renewed dedication to fairness, inclusive development, and progressive governance.
“Your defection must not be symbolic; it must be transformative. This is your opportunity to embrace a new sense of purpose and demonstrate renewed dedication to progressive governance, fairness, and inclusive development.
“The creation of Anioma state will finally give voice, identity, and institutional power to the aspirations of Delta North. It is a long overdue recognition of a people who have sought parity with their kinsmen.
“The proposed New Delta will address the deep internal asymmetries within the current Delta state structure. It will empower neglected communities, bring government closer to the people, and unlock new paths for economic growth.
“For the first time, the APC is armed with the numbers to amend the constitution. This time, we can fulfill these promises without demanding painful trade-offs from the South. We are not lobbying from a place of weakness; we are standing firmly in a position of strength.
“These changes are more than political. They are economic necessities. They are about focused governance, better infrastructure, increased federal allocation, and grassroots democracy. Two new states will mean two new engines of development,” the statement reads.