Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North, has been reported to be making moves to leave the Peoples Democratic Party for the All Progressives Congress.
The announcement was made by his media aide, Ms. Gloria Okolugbo, who spoke over the weekend on Arise TV. She attributed the decision to the challenges Nwoko faced within the PDP’s leadership in Delta State.
According to Okolugbo, Senator Nwoko’s defection was a result of the lack of cooperation and support from his party, which hindered his ability to deliver on his campaign promises to the people of Delta North.
“Senator Nwoko came prepared to serve and deliver the dividends of good governance to Anioma people, but regrettably, he had not enjoyed the cooperation and support of his party, the PDP, in pursuit of his vision, even as the only PDP senator in Delta State,” Okolugbo stated.
Okolugbo further disclosed that Senator Nwoko held a consultative meeting with his constituents to inform them of his intention to defect to the APC.
“What I can tell you is that today Senator Ned Nwoko held a consultative meeting with his constituents to inform them of his interest to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party,” she said.
She explained that the defection marked a significant shift in Delta State politics, as it left the APC with all three Delta senators under its fold.
“With the concluded arrangements by the senator representing Delta North’s defection to the All Progressives Congress, the ruling APC will now have all the three (Delta State) senators in its fold,” Okolugbo added.
Okolugbo highlighted the senator’s repeated efforts to resolve internal issues within the PDP in Delta State, which ultimately proved unsuccessful.
“There have been a lot of processes that he has gone through trying to speak to the internal party structures to see that the issues that we have in Delta North are resolved. As it is now, Delta PDP has lost all three senators to the ruling APC, a development that could spell doom for the PDP in Delta State,” she said.
She further explained that factionalisation within the PDP was a key factor in Nwoko’s decision to defect.
“One of the key reasons for which a legislator or a serving member can defect is factionalisation. You don’t have to see violence before you know there’s factionalisation in the party,” she noted.
Okolugbo also stressed the need for strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring transparency in governance.
“And as we move ahead, it’s very important for us to strengthen the democratic institutions. Representative democracy is actually about balance of power, transparency in governance, and accountable use of resources,” she said.
She lauded Nwoko’s dedication to his constituents and his efforts to ensure good governance.
“Distinguished Senator Ned Nwoko was on the field even after he had won his elections, promising the electorate that together they would deliver the dividends of good governance, because this is about representative democracy,” Okolugbo concluded.