By Gbenda Abuludu(Politics and General desk)
The immediate past Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has officially defected back to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the All Progressives Congress(APC). Dr Uduaghan who confirmed his return to the PDP at a rally in Abigborodo in Warri North Local government area of Delta State said he returned to the PDP “ to join forces with other party greats to strengthen our party, the largest Party in Africa-PDP.”
The erstwhile governor of Delta State who reportedly rejoined the PDP at Unit 1, Ward 6 at Abigborodo Community said he premised his decision on the need for him to” return back home to join forces with other greats ” to strengthen the PDP. The immediate past Delta State governor said this on Monday at a rally in Abigborodo.
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He said: “I am back home. I am back to join forces with other party greats to strengthen our party, the largest Party in Africa -PDP! Haven tasted the other side, it feels refreshing to be back home! Thank you all for receiving me back. It feels like I never left. God bless you,” the former Governor proclaimed on Monday.
It would be recalled that ex-Governor Uduaghan had defected to the APC where he secured the party’s ticket to contest for the Delta South Senatorial Seat which he lost to incumbent Senator James Manager of the PDP at the polls in 2019. While attending an APC caucus meeting which took place at the Presidential Villa last year, former Governor Uduaghan had premised his decision to quit the PDP and join the APC on his commitment to peace –building and sustainable development in the Niger Delta.
The return of the former two-term governor to the PDP is however coming on the heels of speculations that there might be some political metrics in Delta South political calculations in the PDP. Uduaghan’s return to the PDP is coming precisely a year after he dumped the PDP on grounds of his desire to promote peace and sustainable development in the Niger Delta region.
There have been media reports of political permutations ahead 2023 indicating that he might have rejoined the PDP to possibly pursue his interest in the Delta South Senatorial seat in 2023, a role he vied for in 2019.
Media reports also hinted that the former governor met with his successor in office, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa recently to discuss his planned return to the PDP. Uduaghan who served in Governor James Ibori’s administration was Governor of Delta State between 2007 -2015 on PDP’s ticket.
The former Delta State Governor was accompanied to Abigborodo to rejoin the PDP by Hon Thomas Ereyitomi and the PDP Vice Chairman for Delta South, Chief Val Areyinka, a former Commissioner on the Board of NDDC.
