For those who have been active in politics over the past two decades, the recent wave of cross-carpeting and the accompanying uproar are nothing more than minor ripples in a vast ocean. However, for newcomers to the political arena—and those with a short memory of history, these events in Agbor have been sensationalized as a political tsunami or an earthquake of unprecedented magnitude. The hysteria surrounding this non-event is, frankly, amusing. After all, was it not in 2023 at Obinomba that DUG joined the APC? What is truly new here is the public need for individuals like Chiedu Ebie and others with federal appointments to affirm their loyalty to the APC to safeguard their positions. This is no tsunami; it is a calculated act of political deception.
Historically, Delta State’s political elite have mastered the art of self-preservation. Politics in the state has long been characterized by a revolving door of familiar faces. The same individuals have cycled through positions of power—from Commissioners to House of Assembly members to Board Chairmen, occupying any lucrative role that kept them within the corridors of influence. For many, holding political office became an inherited privilege rather than a call to serve.
Then came Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori with his MORE Agenda, a vision aimed at disrupting this entrenched system of entitlement. Recognizing the injustices of the past, he ushered in a new era by appointing fresh, young, and vibrant individuals as Commissioners and Local Government Chairmen. Under Oborevwori’s leadership, Delta State has witnessed a rejuvenation of the third tier of government, while many of the old political elites have transitioned into roles as elders and advisers.
In just under two years, Governor Oborevwori has etched his name into the annals of Delta’s political history. Infrastructure projects under his watch are executed to specification, and his hands-on approach is evident, he walks the streets, engages directly with the people, and shuns foreign trips in favor of spending holidays among his constituents.
Yet, as progress unfolds, the political class of yesteryears, those who have long treated governance as a personal enterprise, are regrouping. Now, they assemble once more under the guise of cross-carpeting to the APC. These are the same individuals who bled the PDP dry for decades, the men of yesterday, circling like vultures in search of new opportunities.
These recent defections are not a revolution; they are a tired rerun of a familiar script. They reflect not ideological shifts but the desperation of a fading elite to reclaim relevance. In contrast, Governor Oborevwori’s reforms represent a quiet yet profound shift, one that prioritizes competence, inclusivity, and accountability over entrenched privilege.
As Delta State moves forward, the question remains: will the people see through this political sleight of hand, or will the vultures of yesteryear find new skies to circle?
They will definitely not find.
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