Tensions are escalating within the Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the notable absence of several prominent political figures from a key stakeholders meeting held on Saturday.
Among those missing were the immediate past governor of the state, Ifeanyi Okowa, the current Deputy Governor, Monday Onyeme, and former House of Representatives member, Ndudi Elumelu.
The meeting was hosted at the Idumuje Ugboko residence of Senator Ned Nwoko, who currently represents Delta North Senatorial District. It drew a wide array of party members and supporters from across the senatorial district, including elders, youths, and other political leaders affiliated with the APC. Despite the high-level attendance, the absence of Okowa, Onyeme, and Elumelu cast a shadow over the gathering and intensified concerns about internal divisions.
The primary agenda of the meeting was to promote party unity in preparation for the 2027 general elections. Participants also reaffirmed their dedication to the longstanding goal of establishing Anioma State, which would be carved out from the present Delta State. This ambition has gained momentum within the Delta North political bloc, especially among those advocating for increased representation and autonomy for the Anioma people.
In the weeks leading up to the meeting, Deputy Governor Onyeme had reportedly objected to the event being held at Nwoko’s private residence. Onyeme, who claims leadership of the APC in Delta North based on the party’s constitutional provisions, had publicly questioned the appropriateness of the venue, sparking speculations about deeper fractures within the party hierarchy.
The discord traces back to earlier political affiliations, with both Okowa and Onyeme previously aligned with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before their defection to the APC. Their strained relationship with Nwoko, also a former PDP member, appears to have followed them into their new political home, suggesting that old rivalries are continuing to influence current party dynamics.
The conflict has brought into focus broader leadership issues within the Delta State APC, particularly in the Delta North senatorial district. The absence of top-ranking figures at such a critical event underscores a lack of cohesion that many fear could weaken the party’s position ahead of future elections.
During the meeting, APC Delta North Chairman, Chief Eluaka Adizue, encouraged recent entrants into the party to register at their local wards. He also highlighted the importance of participating in the ongoing online membership registration exercise, aimed at strengthening party structure and inclusivity at the grassroots level.
Former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Victor Ochei, addressed the gathering and emphasized the need for reconciliation among aggrieved members. He warned that the party could not afford to remain divided as it approaches the next general elections in 2027. “We are not having a party to divide us. We are having a party to unify and unite everybody. We must unite the party, particularly in Delta North,” Ochei declared.
Despite calls for unity and reconciliation, the absence of some of the region’s most influential political figures signaled that achieving harmony may be a difficult task. Their non-attendance has raised further questions about the strength and credibility of the APC’s leadership structure in the region.
While the party continues to project an image of growth and preparedness for future electoral contests, internal rifts like this may undermine those efforts unless resolved quickly. Observers say the outcome of these internal disputes will play a critical role in determining the APC’s electoral performance in Delta State come 2027.
As efforts to unify the party continue, stakeholders are watching closely to see whether bridges can be built among its leading figures. Until then, the Delta APC remains at a crossroads, with unity being its most urgent challenge.
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