By: Henry Akpabio
In what has been widely described as a political masterstroke, the Executive Chairman of Bomadi Local Government Area, Hon. Dagidi Rawlings Andaye, along with key members of his political family and top PDP leaders, officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) at Ward 02, Kpakiama, Delta State, on Saturday, July 5, 2025. This historic defection signals a seismic shift in the political landscape of Bomadi, placing the APC on an unshakable path toward dominance in the region.
The defection, which took place in a packed Cherubim and Seraphim Hall in Kpakiama Town, was not just symbolic—it was strategic. It marks the consolidation of one of Delta State’s most charismatic and accomplished grassroots leaders into the fold of the ruling party. Hon. Andaye’s entry into the APC is more than a political realignment; it is a statement of intent, signaling a powerful alliance between performance and progress, vision and victory.
With the full backing of his political structure, supporters, and a growing base of loyal electorates, Hon. Andaye brings with him a legacy of purposeful leadership that has transformed Bomadi LGA within just one year in office. From infrastructural renaissance to socio-economic empowerment, his administration has redefined grassroots governance, earning him widespread popularity and the confidence of the people.
Among his numerous achievements are the completion and ongoing construction of critical public infrastructure, including a Model Chapel, an Ultra-Modern Multipurpose Event Centre, Residential Buildings for the High Court Judge and Vice Chairman, the restoration of electricity to Bomadi after 15 years of darkness, and the rehabilitation of major concrete pavements and drainage systems. His administration has further shown uncommon commitment to transparency through the establishment of an Internal Audit Block and welfare-focused reforms such as the ₦70,000 minimum wage and inclusive empowerment initiatives for women, youths, and persons with disabilities.
These transformative strides have not gone unnoticed. Hon. Andaye’s achievements have not only set a new benchmark for local governance but also earned him the trust and admiration of the Bomadi people. It is this trust that now travels with him to the APC, positioning the party as the undisputed frontrunner in Bomadi ahead of any electoral contest.
As such, the significance of his defection cannot be overstated. With Hon. Dagidi Andaye now on the APC’s platform, it is safe and fair to assert that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori may not need to campaign vigorously in Bomadi LGA—the Chairman’s towering achievements, coupled with his unshakable bond with the people, are more than sufficient to deliver an overwhelming majority to the APC at the polls.
This political development should be seen as a clear endorsement of the APC’s Renewed Hope Agenda and a resounding affirmation of the Governor’s MORE Agenda, which Hon. Andaye has domesticated so effectively in Bomadi. His defection represents not a break from the past but a bridge to a more unified and progressive future—one that seeks to harmonize national and state development agendas for the greater good of Bomadi residents.
While commending President Tinubu for his bold national reforms and Governor Oborevwori for his developmental strides across Delta State, it is important to note that leaders like Hon. Dagidi Rawlings Andaye deserve support and encouragement from both the Presidency and the State Government. His visionary leadership, rooted in service and results, is the kind that must not only be sustained but also amplified.
The APC, under his influence, now boasts a formidable presence in Bomadi LGA. The defection of Hon. Andaye and his political family is not a fleeting movement—it is a tidal wave of influence, experience, and proven capacity that has redefined the political equation in the Niger Delta.
Indeed, Bomadi’s future is looking brighter, and with Hon. Dagidi Andaye steering the course within the APC, it is no longer a question of who will win—it is simply a matter of how wide the margin will be.
