Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru, a household name in Delta State politics, has arguably become one of Nigeria’s most persistent gubernatorial contenders, having contested the Delta governorship election seven times under five different political parties, a political odyssey spanning over two decades.
From his maiden bid in 2003 under the Alliance for Democracy (AD) to his latest return to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in March 2025, Ogboru’s journey paints the picture of a relentless political actor whose ambition has survived electoral defeats, shifting party alliances, and the evolving political terrain of Delta State.
A Timeline of Party-Hopping and Gubernatorial Bids
In 2003 Alliance for Democracy (AD) First attempt at governorship; lost to PDP’s Chief James Onanefe Ibori.
In 2007 & 2011 Democratic People’s Party (DPP) Contested twice; in 2011 secured 433,000+ votes but lost to Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan.
In 2015 Labour Party (LP) Ran again; resigned in 2016 amid plans to join APC.
In 2019 All Progressives Congress (APC) , APC flagbearer; lost to PDP’s Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa.
In 2022 All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Moved after APC internal wrangling; sought 2023 ticket.
In 2025 (Mar), APC Returned to APC in Ughelli ceremony hosted by Keyamo, Okotete, Waive
Ogboru’s recent re-entry into the APC comes at a time of significant political realignment in Delta State, with notable PDP leaders, including Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, defecting to the APC, which Ogboru openly welcomed.
Strategic or Opportunistic?
While his supporters view him as a dogged democrat committed to offering alternative leadership, critics argue that Ogboru’s frequent party switches reflect opportunism rather than ideology.
His transitions often coincide with where the political wind appears to be blowing, a tactical maneuver to stay electorally relevant.
Political observers suggest that rather than building a consistent base, Ogboru has relied heavily on last-minute alignments, sometimes leading to frictions within his adopted platforms.
His 2019 APC bid, for instance, was marred by protracted intra-party disputes, weakening his momentum before the general election.
▪ A Veteran of the Ballot — Without a Trophy
Despite his persistence, Ogboru remains a perennial runner-up. His 2011 campaign under DPP, where he polled over 433,000 votes, is regarded as his closest shot at the Delta Government House.
Yet, with each cycle, his influence appears to fluctuate, particularly with newer political actors and shifting voter sentiments in the oil-rich state.
▪ APC 2025: A Final Shot?
Ogboru’s reabsorption into the APC in 2025 is widely seen as part of the party’s consolidation efforts in Delta State.
His presence offers name recognition and a legacy of opposition politics, but many question whether he remains the electoral force he once was.
For some, his political resilience is admirable. For others, it underscores Nigeria’s deeper issue of ideology-deficient politics, where party labels are often treated as temporary vehicles for ambition.
Either way, Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru’s name is firmly etched in the annals of Delta’s political history, not necessarily for the offices held, but for the sheer tenacity of his quest.
Below Is His Party Defection Timeline
1. Alliance for Democracy (AD) – 2003
Ogboru launched his first governorship campaign in Delta State under AD in 2003. Despite making a strong showing, he lost to the PDP candidate, Chief James Onanefe Ibori.
2. Democratic Peoples’ Party (DPP) – 2007 & 2011
He switched to DPP for the 2007 and 2011 elections. In 2011, he garnered over 433,000 votes but lost again to PDP’s Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan.
3. Labour Party (LP) – 2015
Ogboru contested the 2015 governorship under LP. By April 2016, he formally resigned amid discussions of aligning with the APC.
4. All Progressives Congress (APC) – 2019
He became APC’s flag bearer in 2019. After a contested primary, he ultimately lost the governorship contest to incumbent Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.
5. All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) – around 2022
Following internal composition challenges within the APC, Ogboru defected to APGA and aimed for the 2023 governorship ticket.
6. Return to APC – March 2025
On March 9, 2025, Ogboru was publicly welcomed back into the APC in a high-profile ceremony in Ughelli, hosted by key APC stalwarts like Festus Keyamo, Stella Okotete, and Francis Waive.
Ogboru has contested seven Delta State governorship elections since 2003, under five different parties: AD (2003), DPP (2007 & 2011), LP (2015), APC (2019), and APGA (2022), before returning to APC in 2025.
Many political commentators highlight what they see as recurring patterns of opportunistic party shifts, often tied to unfolding political alliances rather than ideological commitments.
His various alignments have frequently coincided with broader political realignments in Delta State, such as the mass transition of PDP leaders to APC in 2025, including Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, whom Ogboru publicly welcomed into APC.
Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru’s political journey is marked by frequent party switches, primarily tied to his repeated attempts at winning the Delta State governorship across multiple platforms.
His moves reflect a strategic rather than ideological approach, often aligning with parties seen as more promising at specific political junctures.
His return to the APC in 2025 comes at a time when the party is consolidating its position in Delta via mass defections from the PDP.
