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Akuku-Igbo residents cite years of neglect as they dump ruling party, vowing to fight for “our children’s” future

By Felix Elumelu

ASABA – The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) received a fresh boost in Delta North on Sunday as a large group of All Progressives Congress (APC) members and supporters from Akwukwu-Igbo/Atuma Ward 1 dramatically ended their association with the ruling party by setting their brooms ablaze and defecting to the NDC.

The defectors were welcomed by Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, the NDC candidate for Delta North Senatorial District, and Hon. Aaron Udoka Ebenuwa, the party’s Delta North Chairman.

Among those who left the APC were Chief Oblak Agbabu and Chief Ben Paymaster. They cited prolonged marginalisation and neglect of Akwukwu-Igbo, despite the community’s past support for the APC. Chief Agbabu questioned the value of continued loyalty, pointing to the alleged absence of meaningful projects and development in the community.

In a symbolic act, the defectors gathered their APC brooms and burnt them, declaring an end to their ties with the party.

The NDC delegation also included Hon. Ashinze Charles Obiodogwu, the party’s Oshimili North House of Assembly candidate, and other party executives.

Welcoming the new members, Ochei, a former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, urged them to feel at home and tasked them with reaching out to other distressed and disgruntled supporters of the ruling party to bring them into the fold. He said the NDC had fielded candidates who are sincere and hungry for performance that the people would applaud.

“Those who laugh at the NDC today, don’t be surprised if you find them with us tomorrow because the NDC, Peter Obi, Victor Ochei, Isioma Ndah and Ashinze Charles Obiodogwu are an idea whose time has come,” he said.

Framing the contest as one of generational importance, he added: “For me, this Senatorial race is for our children, because one person can’t determine the destiny of us all, and this is why we must be ready to fight with all we have.”

Ochei also expressed confidence that, if elected, the NDC would prioritise development and inclusion for Akwukwu-Igbo, which serves as the headquarters of Oshimili North.

Also speaking, Ebenuwa assured the defectors that all members were equal and that the party remained supreme. He urged them to remain watchful and committed, stating that victory was close.

The event reflects ongoing political realignments in Oshimili North as the NDC intensifies grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.