Despite the recent massive defections that it has had to contend with, Delta State branch of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) remains strong
This is the view of Elder Emma Ogidi, a former Delta State PDP Chairman. Ogidi is the Caretaker Committee Chairman, PDP South-South Zone, who was also recently appointed to take over the affairs of the Party in Delta State.
He declared that PDP was still standing strong in the state, despite the shocking defection of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking in Asaba shortly after his arrival to assume duties as the newly appointed Caretaker Chairman of the PDP in Delta, Ogidi described the mass defection as a setback but insisted that the soul of the party remained intact.
“Yes, PDP still exists in Delta State. Our number has been depleted, no doubt about that, but the party is alive and standing,” he said in an exclusive interview.
Ogidi, appointed on Tuesday, April 29, by the party’s Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagun, was tasked with rebuilding the party’s structure in the state, after Monday, April 28 stunning political earthquake that saw two of Delta’s most prominent PDP leaders and a gale of other defections, including the entire PDP structure in the from wards, LGAs and state officials, as well as the entire Delta state executive Council, cross over to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
The seasoned politician, known for his grassroots appeal and influence, dismissed any suggestion that the PDP had been emptied. “When the news went out that I had been given the assignment, I received many phone calls from people who said they were not going anywhere. There is still enthusiasm in PDP,” he stated.
Ogidi, who once served as a commissioner in Delta and remains a powerful voice within the PDP fold, described the recent defection as a survivalist move by desperate politicians. “The APC is a shark-infested river,” he warned. “I can tell you that the PDP people who left are survivalists… but when they go deeper, they will still be infected.”
He said his immediate mandate was to reconnect with loyal party members, reconstitute a caretaker committee in Delta State, and reposition the PDP as a resilient brand ahead of future elections. “They will know I am a true servant here to bring everybody back together to have a stronger and better PDP,” Ogidi assured.
Emphasizing that many of Delta’s political elites owe their rise to the PDP, Ogidi said: “Most of those hundrednaires, thousandnaires, and millionaires you see today were all made by the PDP,” warning that the defection of a few does not equate to the collapse of the party.
Ogidi acknowledged that the party’s national leadership had issues, but insisted it was not a death sentence. “There is no family without problems, but the ability to resolve problems makes it a great family. PDP is still a brand,” he said.
Commenting on fears that more governors might leave the PDP, he downplayed the significance. “We lost about 27–29 governors in the past. The number of governors doesn’t determine election success,” he argued, noting, instead, that the focus should be on connecting with the suffering masses. “The ordinary man is suffering. You can’t play politics with hunger or insecurity.”
While responding to speculations that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar might exit the PDP, Ogidi admitted it would be worrisome. “I will be very worried if Atiku Abubakar leaves because he mentored many of us… but I strongly believe PDP will not die,” he said.
He hinted at plans to engage founding PDP leaders in Delta, including former Governor James Ibori, whose current political leanings remain unclear. “Every party in the state would want to reach him; I will contact him,” Ogidi disclosed.
He also promised that visible steps to reposition the PDP would be unveiled within the month, and that the party would take a definitive stand on political coalitions during its next National Executive Committee meeting. “At the NEC meeting next month, we will take a position on the coalition. It will come up,” he said.
Ogidi concluded on an optimistic note, paying tribute to party faithful who chose loyalty over defection. “They are men and women of integrity. God bless them,” he said.
