- Erhiatake Ibori-Seunu, representing Ethiope Federal Constituency, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
- Her defection may upset the rotational arrangement between Ethiope East and Ethiope West for the House of Representatives seat.
- The PDP has vowed not to concede the 2027 House of Representatives seat to Ethiope West, insisting it’s Ethiope East’s turn.
The recent defection of Erhiatake Ibori-Seunu, representing Ethiope Federal Constituency, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has set the stage for a political battle in Delta State. Ibori-Seunu’s move may disrupt the rotational arrangement between Ethiope East and Ethiope West for the House of Representatives seat, which has been in place to avoid political rivalry.
Historically, Ethiope West has produced representatives for 20 years, while Ethiope East has only had two representatives for a total of eight years ¹. The PDP, after a meeting with leaders and stakeholders in Ethiope East, has insisted that the 2027 House of Representatives seat must go to Ethiope East for equity and fairness.
Ibori-Seunu’s defection has also depleted the PDP’s strength in Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s senatorial district, with the APC now representing two federal constituencies in the area. The senatorial zone is also represented in the Senate by Chief Ede Dafinone of the APC.
