Former Delta State governor James Ibori’s daughter, Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, has launched a scathing critique of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), claiming the party nearly destroyed her political ambitions before her recent defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The representative of Ethiope Federal Constituency at the National Assembly delivered her sharp rebuke during a public address, where she declared her move to the APC as the most significant decision of her political career. In a bold statement that highlighted the intensity of local Delta State politics, Ibori-Suenu vowed to “bury PDP in Ologbo River,” referencing the waterway that serves as a boundary between Delta and Edo states.
Her defection marks a significant shift in Delta State’s political landscape, particularly given her father’s historical prominence in the PDP. The move has been warmly welcomed by APC leadership, with former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege describing Ibori-Suenu as a “political bulldozer” whose presence significantly boosts the party’s prospects in the state.
Omo-Agege’s enthusiastic response reflects the APC’s strategic view of the defection, seeing it as a crucial step toward their ambition of capturing Delta State in the 2027 elections. The former Deputy Senate President expressed confidence that Ibori-Suenu’s “energy and dedication” would substantially strengthen the party’s position in the state.
The defection carries particular weight given the Ibori family’s long-standing influence in Delta State politics. James Ibori, who served as governor from 1999 to 2007, was a significant figure in the PDP’s dominance of the state’s political landscape. His daughter’s dramatic exit from the party therefore represents more than just an individual change of allegiance – it potentially signals a broader shift in the state’s political dynamics.
Ibori-Suenu’s strong words against her former party hint at deep-seated tensions and internal conflicts within the PDP’s state structure. Her allegation that party members attempted to stifle her political aspirations suggests significant internal power struggles that may have precipitated her departure.
The move also highlights the evolving nature of Nigerian politics, where traditional party loyalties are increasingly giving way to individual political calculations and aspirations. Ibori-Suenu’s declaration of feeling “already at home” in the APC, coupled with her assertion of the party’s supremacy, indicates a confident transition despite her family’s historical ties to the PDP.
The timing and manner of her defection could have significant implications for both parties as they prepare for future electoral contests. For the APC, securing a member of such a politically prominent family represents a major coup in their efforts to strengthen their position in Delta State. Conversely, the PDP faces the challenge of maintaining its grip on power in the state while dealing with the fallout from this high-profile departure.
The development also raises interesting questions about the evolution of political dynasties in Nigerian politics, as younger generations increasingly chart their own political courses, sometimes in opposition to their families’ traditional affiliations. Ibori-Suenu’s decision to break with her father’s party affiliation demonstrates the complex interplay between personal political ambitions and family legacies in Nigerian politics.
As both parties look toward future electoral contests, particularly the 2027 elections, this defection could prove to be a pivotal moment in Delta State’s political narrative. The coming months will likely reveal whether Ibori-Suenu’s move represents an isolated incident or the beginning of a larger political realignment in the state.
