Legal practitioner and immediate past Chairman of Warri South Local Government, Dr. Michael Tidi, Esq., has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing the recent wave of defections to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a minority-driven, self-serving political manoeuvre.
Addressing party stakeholders at a well-attended strategic meeting in Warri on Thursday, July 3, 2025, Dr. Tidi emphasised the urgent need to refocus on grassroots mobilisation as the party prepares for a major internal reset.
“All politics is local,” he said. “That’s why I returned home—to help rebuild the PDP from the base up. Abuja has no polling unit for me.”
While acknowledging the constitutional right of individuals to realign politically, Dr. Tidi dismissed the defections as lacking true grassroots traction.
“Most of those who left were political appointees. But many core party faithful remained—some even resigned their appointments in protest. That speaks volumes,” he said.
He urged restraint and a renewed commitment to structure, noting that the PDP must now look beyond personalities and power plays to focus on sustainable political foundations.
According to him, “Those who left cloaked their defection in claims of disunity. But we know better—it was personal ambition dressed as principle. The PDP is still strong, united, and a formidable platform for national renewal.”
Highlighting the party’s history of weathering internal crises—including high-stakes leadership disputes—Dr. Tidi said the PDP has always emerged more resilient and cohesive.
He commended party leaders and stakeholders across Ika South, Ika North East, Ughelli North, Aniocha South, Isoko North, and Udu LGAs for their exemplary commitment to galvanising members and holding the PDP structure firm at the grassroots, even amid growing political pressure.
At the Warri meeting, participants drawn from all 12 electoral wards of Warri South volunteered to serve as Ward Coordinators, tasked with immediately returning to their respective wards to headhunt and mobilise members in preparation for the upcoming party congress.
The charge was echoed by both men and women, with all speakers aligning on the need to rebuild the party from the bottom up.
Hons. Ogbitse Osanweren, Kelly Eburu, and Okpako Eboh jointly emphasised the importance of protecting the PDP’s foundational values and resisting the opportunistic pull of short-term political alignments.
Also present were stakeholders from Warri South-West, Warri North, and Udu LGAs, including Chief Edwin Olley, Deacon Amus Boyo, and Chief Lucky Delekpe, who pledged to replicate similar engagement efforts in their respective localities.
The gathering brought together a broad spectrum of the PDP’s leadership and support base: former legislative head Hon. Chief Sylvester Ijabor, a full delegation from Edjeba Ward, influential women leaders like Hon. Mrs. Akonte Ewowo, Madam Kongbemi Erewa, and Mrs. Iwere, and traditional figures such as the Chief Priest of Omadino Community, also pioneer Obodo/Omadino ward chairman Hon. Roland Yomere.
Notable leaders from across Warri South in attendance included Prince Alfred Atigolo, Sir Emmanuel Abigor, Chief Dickson Ebirenfoju, Deacon Ejiro Ibuakevwe, Sola Ojumude, Temisan Nosa Owei, Solomon Pessu, and Otomi Atiri.
Also represented were non-indigene communities and market unions, further reinforcing the PDP’s inclusive and multi-ethnic strength across the Warri axis.
A major highlight of the event was the unanimous vote of confidence passed on Elder Emmanuel Ogidi, Acting South-South Chairman of the PDP, applauding his stabilising leadership of the party in Delta since the defection of the state governor and his predecessor.
In conclusion, Dr. Tidi urged the faithful to focus less on titles and more on structure.
“Let’s stop scrambling for positions and start organising. In my own ward, we’ve already begun compiling names and preparing. As the APC updates its registers, we too must reinforce our grassroots base. The future belongs to those who organize—not just politic.”
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment by all attendees to strengthen grassroots networks, reinforce party unity, and prepare the PDP for a vibrant resurgence in Delta State.
