Ned Nwoko, the senator representing Delta North in the National Assembly has opened up on why he dumped the Peoples Democratic Party for the All Progressives Congress.
According to him, his decision was hinged on the refusal of his party to support his push for the creation of Anioma State.
Nwoko, speaking in Asaba on Monday, explained, “I left because I want to be able to get the support of the ruling party in the creation of Anioma State. The governor and former governor, who are the leaders of the PDP, are against the creation of Anioma State.”
Nwoko revealed that despite his efforts to seek support from the PDP national leadership, members of the National Working Committee were embroiled in internal disputes, unable to provide the necessary leadership for the cause.
He further criticised the lack of funding for some projects he had promised his constituency during his electioneering campaign.
“The governor made sure that I wasn’t allowed to function. He dismissed all the projects that we had discussed during the campaigns, citing a lack of funds. Okpai power plant and Ogwashi-Uku dam are examples. I wasn’t allowed to nominate any board members, commissioners, or local government chairmen,” Nwoko stated.
He added that in order to bring projects to his constituency, he had to join the ruling party, emphasising that time was running out for him to fulfil his promises.
Nwoko’s defection to the All Progressives Congress was officially announced last week after what he described as irreconcilable differences with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and other PDP leaders in Delta State.
Nwoko, who has been an advocate for the creation of Anioma State from Delta State, claimed that he lacked the support of the PDP leadership, particularly from Oborevwori and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who is also from Delta North senatorial district.
Reacting to Nwoko’s departure, an aide to Governor Oborevwori, Fred Oghenesivbe, suggested that Nwoko was leaving the PDP due to his fear of losing the party’s ticket in the upcoming 2027 election.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Information, Charles Aniagwu, dismissed Nwoko’s defection as insignificant.
Speaking to journalists in Asaba on Monday, Aniagwu recalled that Nwoko had previously defected to the All Progressives Grand Alliance in 2003 and to the Democratic Peoples Party in 2011, but the PDP still won the election in both instances.
He said, “Now that he has left the PDP, we are not bothered because the party will win Delta North Senatorial District in 2027.”
Aniagwu added, “Our concern now is to concentrate on governance. It’s not the time to play politics, but I know that when the time comes, the PDP will still win.”
