Opinion: Sheriff Oborevwori’s defection, a betrayal of democratic trust

Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s defection from the PDP to the APC, has hit the Nigerian political landscape like a storm. A move that many like myself have viewed it as a betrayal of the democratic trust of Delta’s electorate, arguing that it undermines political integrity, risks destabilizing governance, and threatens Nigeria’s fragile democracy. This piece is set to criticize and condemn Oborevwori’s defection as a betrayal of democratic trust.

Why Oborevwori’s defection is a betrayal of democratic trust

Oborevwori, elected in 2023 on the PDP platform, betrayed voters by defecting to the APC just two years into his term, ignoring their mandate for PDP representation. Critics like myself have painted this political cross-carpeting as a politicians only achieving political positions for selfish gains rather than the interest of the people. Post 2023 general election PDP crisis is one major factor for his defection and as typical of Nigerian politicians to always consolidate powers to themselves. Oborevwori’s defection is just a survival tactics under Tinubu’s influence but at the cost of people survival.

Oborevwori’s defection has the ability to destabilize Delta State, an oil-rich region with a history of violence. This defection coming at a time when the Niger Delta region has been hit hard by political unrests could increase insecurity, as critics have warned that an APC alignment could introduce more external threats like the Fulani bandits. Not to forget that this defection risks fracturing local governance, as Delta state has for long been the mainstay of PDP which may resist an APC governor, potentially preventing the people from enjoying the dividends of democracy and prompting protests.

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Furthermore, Oborevwori’s defection reflects Nigeria’s culture of political opportunism, eroding democratic processes by allowing officials to flout mandates without consequence. Critics have continually lamented the fragility of Nigerian democracy as a breeding ground for encouraging personal gains rather than national interests. Moreover, this defection just only shows how weak the anti-defection laws are to governors and other political office holders.

The support for Oborevwori’s defection

Listen carefully when I say that not all fingers are equal. Hence, certain individuals have decided to counter this narrative of Oborevwori’s defection. Supporters on social media view Oborevwori’s defection as a path to bring progress by aligning Delta with the APC’s national resources under Tinubu’s influence. However, let me make it clear by pointing out Delta’s existing progress under PDP has been solid, therefore the promise of progress has no depth especially when it betrays democratic principles.

Final take

Oborevwori’s defection on April 23, 2025, is a stark reminder that Nigeria’s democracy remains a work in progress, one easily derailed by personal ambition. The government must close legal loopholes, enforcing stricter anti-defection laws for all elected officials. Delta’s people deserve a governor who honors their mandate, not one who trades it for political insurance. As critics have justified. Nigeria can demand better. Oborevwori must be held accountable, not applauded, for this betrayal of trust. Delta, and Nigeria, deserve nothing less.