The Chief Adviser to the Governor of Delta State, Senator Ighoyota Amori, has declared that Delta State has effectively operated as a one-party state since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, insisting that the political dominance historically associated with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will seamlessly transition into victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Amori made this assertion while addressing journalists during an interview session in Asaba, where he offered a sweeping analysis of the state’s political evolution and the implications of recent defections.
According to him, Delta’s political structure has always revolved around a unified bloc, regardless of party labels.
“From 1999 till date, Delta State has practically been a one-party state,” Amori said. “What you saw as PDP dominance was not just about the party name but about the people and the political structure behind it.”
He explained that the same political machinery that sustained the PDP’s uninterrupted control of the state for over two decades is now largely aligned within the APC, following a wave of high-profile defections.
“The government you see today under APC was, in essence, PDP before. The structure, the people, and the winning formula remain the same,” he added.
Amori emphasized that the convergence of former PDP stakeholders within the APC has created a formidable and cohesive political force, describing the current alignment as one built on long-standing relationships and shared electoral experience.
“Virtually everyone you see in APC today in Delta State has, at one point, been part of the PDP family. We have worked together, won elections together, and understand the terrain perfectly,” he stated.
However, he acknowledged a few notable exceptions, including Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, whom he noted was never a member of the PDP, and O’tega Emerhor, widely regarded as the founding leader of the APC in Delta State.
Projecting confidence ahead of the next electoral cycle, Amori described the anticipated 2027 elections as largely procedural, given what he termed the APC’s overwhelming structural advantage.
“With the level of unity and experience we now have in APC, the 2027 elections in Delta State will be more or less a simulation exercise,” he said. “The victory pattern that started in 1999 will repeat itself.”
His remarks come at a time when political realignments continue to reshape Delta’s landscape, raising debates about party identity, ideological consistency, and the future of opposition politics in the state.
The Chief Adviser also expressed satisfaction with the successful conduct of the APC ward and state congresses across all 25 local government areas in Delta State, describing the process as peaceful and reflective of internal cohesion.
He noted that attention has now shifted to the party’s upcoming national convention, where key decisions are expected to further consolidate the APC’s structure nationwide.
Political observers say the outcome of the convention could play a crucial role in determining the party’s strategy ahead of 2027, particularly in states like Delta where recent defections have significantly altered the balance of power.
While Amori’s assertion of Delta as a “one-party state” may spark debate among opposition figures, it underscores a broader reality in Nigerian politics—where political dominance is often driven more by influential networks and personalities than by party ideology.
As the APC continues to absorb key figures from the PDP, the unfolding scenario in Delta State may well redefine traditional notions of party competition, setting the stage for what could be one of the most unconventional electoral contests in the state’s history.
For now, Amori and his allies remain confident that the state’s political trajectory is firmly in their favor.
“The name may change,” he concluded, “but the victory remains constant.”
