Onicha-Olona community in Aniocha North local government area, literally shut down, as hundreds of card carrying members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Olona Ward 4, defected to the National Democratic Congress ( NDC), pledging full allegiance and support for Rt Hon Engr Victor Onyekachi Ochei (Esq), the Olikaeze and NDC Delta North Senatorial Candidate for the 2027 general elections.Magazines
The mass defection, which political observers described as “a defining moment for Onicha-Olona politics”, took place on Saturday July 18, 2026, at the Ezeowa Family Compound, Umu-Olo quarters , Onicha Olona .Geographic Reference
The mass defection ceremony formed part of events lined up by the NDC Ward 4 Olona , to welcome Rt Hon Victor Ochei to a grand reception as well as the inauguration of the party’s Ward Secretariat located at Abu-Ano, in Onicha Olona.Politics
According to the spokesman of the decampees who spoke on their behalf, they are tired of living a lie as the deteriorating condition of living and worsening insecurity they face in their farmlands and community , does not tally with the Renewed Hope mantra of their former party , the APC.
They said their decision to move into the NDC in the area , is borne largely to the towering visibility of Rt Hon Victor Ochei , who has impacted on Onicha-Olona through his philanthropic deeds and sports tourism which has placed the town on the sports map through his sole sponsorship of the annual Olona Unity football Cup as well as the ultra modern Donald Ochei Stadium built singlehandedly by the former Speaker of the State House of Assembly , and Olikaeze of the community .
Receiving the APC decampees, the NDC Delta North Senatorial Chairman, Hon Aaron Udoka, thanked the erstwhile APC members for seeing the light and following it.Geographic Reference
He assured them that the NDC is a party that guarantees equal rights for all members , whether old or new , and charged them to immediately hit the ground running by mobilizing for Rt Hon Victor Ochei, when campaigns officially kick off.
Earlier in his speech, the NDC Delta North Senatorial Candidate for the 2027 general elections, Rt Hon Victor Ochei, said he has deemed it fit to come and appreciate his Ward 4 stakeholders, particularly the party executives, for entrusting him with the nod to represent them.
Ochei, who noted that he had not declared his ambition to contest the Delta North Senatorial seat officially, also emphasized that Campaigns had not commenced according to the guidelines and timelines stipulated by INEC, assured the NDC Olona Ward 4 structure that he will justify the trust they have reposed in him, affirming that his antecedents in representation should act as a catalyst for their confidence in his ability to deliver.
He said: “We decided that the time has come for me to enter Olona. This is not a declaration, so don’t get it wrong. I am yet to declare. I have come today to see my party leaders in my ward. That is why I have come. NDC is a party that was registered about 5 months ago. It may appear small but you have heard of the saying, small but mighty. They are mighty and that is why, because the party has given me a platform (to contest the Senatorial zone seat) I must subject myself to that platform and come to say thank you and recognize you.
“I have served my state. I have served Aniocha North. I am sure I delivered….But today is not for campaign because campaign has not commenced and I don’t want to go against INEC rules. I am here to say thank you to my Ward Executives. Thank you for giving me the platform to represent Delta North Senatorial district. Enough is Enough” Ochei said to the impressive gathering of enthusiastic constituents of Onicha Olona ward 4, who had turned out in their numbers to welcome their son home.
The highpoint of the event was the inauguration of the fully furnished ward Secretariat funded and donated to the party by Rt Hon Ochei.
Present at the mass defection cum Grand reception for Rt Hon Ochei , were the party’s House of Assembly Candidate for Aniocha North, Hon Vincent Ugbelase, the LGA NDC Chairman , Prince Felix Amagoh, Olona Ward 4 Chairman , Mr Michael Okwechime ,Elders and leaders of the ward , women and youths , among others.
And in a related development, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Candidate for Delta North Senatorial District, Rt. Hon. (Engr.) Victor O. Ochei, Esq., FNSE, has reaffirmed the party’s determination to build a formidable grassroots structure ahead of the 2027 general elections, as he joined party leaders in a reconciliatory/unity meeting in Ward 8, Ibusa, Oshimili North Local Government Area.
The meeting was attended by the NDC Delta North Senatorial Chairman, Hon. Kingsley Udoka, the NDC Candidate for Oshimili North Constituency Hon Ashinze Charles Obiodogwu, the Ward 8 Chairman, Pastor Ben Nchekwubechukwu Okolo, party executives, stakeholders and supporters.
Addressing members, Rt. Hon. Ochei described Ward 8 as one of the largest and most politically significant wards in Oshimili North, expressing confidence in the party’s growing strength.
“Ward 8 in Oshimili North is a very prominent and large ward and, from what I see, we are getting ready for the contest.”
He stressed that unity and discipline would remain the foundation of the party’s success.
“We are one, and at every point we can only have one leader and one candidate. We have two missions: we have a party to build, and we have elections to win. We are ready to build this party and we are ready to go for the 2027 elections.”
Drawing from his political experience, Ochei reminded members that strong political movements are built through perseverance.
“We did it with the APC even when some people called it a ‘Boko Haram party.’ Today, many of those same people have joined it. We built it then, and we will build this party too.”
He also urged members to respect the party’s established leadership structure, noting that the NDC remains organised from the national level down to the wards.
Also speaking, Hon. Kingsley Udoka called on members to remain united and focused, urging them not to be distracted by political inducements as the elections draw nearer.
He encouraged supporters to remain steadfast in their convictions, reminding them that the future of Delta North should never be traded for temporary benefits.
The highlight of the event was a symbolic solidarity march by party leaders and members to the residence of Mr Hilary Nwuko, an aspirant at the NDC Oshimili North Primaries, where reconciliations were perfected, and stakeholders publicly reaffirmed their commitment to unity, reconciliation and the continued growth of the NDC in Oshimili North.
The gathering further underscored the party’s resolve to strengthen its grassroots structures and present a united front as it prepares for the 2027 general elections.
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