A former chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, Prof. Patrick Muoboghare, has officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing the collapse of leadership and internal structure within the PDP as the decisive factor behind his move.
Speaking during his defection on January 4, 2025, Prof. Muoboghare announced his intention to represent his people at the Delta Central Senatorial District come 2027.
While declaring that the PDP, as a political platform, is no longer viable, the director of Stepat Farms, Edjekota-Ogor, opined that his earlier decision to remain in the PDP and even create space for breakaway groups was based on the belief that the party was still alive at the time, adding that events have, however, since proven otherwise.
“When I made those projections, the party was alive. But today, the ship has sunk. I am a victim of a shipwreck who had to bail out to survive. You don’t return to a burning house, this one is not even burning, it has completely collapsed,” he said.
Prof. Muoboghare described the PDP as a party abandoned by its captain, riddled with irreconcilable factions and incapable of presenting credible candidates, noting that even basic party processes such as signing nomination forms have become impossible.
“There is no party. The structure is gone. If I wanted to contest today, who would sign my form? Any faction that does so would be challenged in court. That is the reality,” he added.
He further alleged that key figures left behind in the PDP were merely overseeing the final destruction of what remained of the party, likening the situation to wartime tactics where assets are destroyed to prevent opponents from benefiting.
Despite admitting that he was once a strong critic of the APC, Prof. Muoboghare said his political philosophy has always centered on leadership quality rather than party labels.
“Nigerians vote for individuals, not parties. A party that fields poor candidates will always produce poor governance. That is why leadership selection matters,” he stated.
He ruled out other political platforms, saying they do not offer any realistic alternative, and emphasized that his decision to join the APC followed long and careful consideration.
The senatorial hopeful also disclosed that his defection was accompanied by the movement of the entire PDP structure in his political base into the APC, marking what he described as a total collapse of PDP influence in the area.
Prof. Muoboghare credited former Delta State Governor Emmanuel Ewetan Uduaghan who first introduced him to politics, for foreseeing the PDP’s decline and guiding his early political journey.
The event was graced by member representing Ughelli North Constituency 11, Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Spencer Ohwufa, APC State chairman, Elder Sobotie Omene, Ughelli North Local Government Area chairman, Samuel Evwighono, political stakeholders and teaming supporters.
