By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa
The internal crisis rocking the Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has deepened significantly, following a mass boycott of the party’s state congress by several prominent leaders on Tuesday.
Notable absentees from the congress included the immediate past Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, and the senator representing Delta North, Ned Nwoko. Also missing was Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, a member of the House of Representatives and daughter of former Governor James Ibori.
SaharaReporters gathered that other foundational members of the party, who were part of the APC before the recent influx of defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), also stayed away from the exercise. Their absence underscores the deepening fault lines within the state chapter.
The Delta APC is now broadly split into two major factions. One bloc is loyal to the influential Ibori/Omo-Agege camp, while the other is aligned with the state’s current governor, Sheriff Oborevwori. Governor Oborevwori is widely perceived to have the backing of President Bola Tinubu and the party’s national leadership.
Further complicating the landscape in Delta North, the party is divided between a faction loyal to former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and another supporting Senator Ned Nwoko.
Sources within the party attributed the deepening crisis to disputes over the conduct of the ward, local government, and state congresses. Allegations have emerged of a concerted effort to impose candidates, reportedly favouring recent defectors from the PDP over longstanding APC members.
Speaking shortly after Saturday’s state congress, held at the Cenotaph in Asaba, Governor Oborevwori appealed for unity and peace within the party. However, his call was undercut by a controversial statement directed at those who were absent.
“Anyone who did not come for this State Congress is not an indigene of Delta State,” the governor declared.
In his address, Governor Oborevwori thanked the outgoing executive, led by Omeni Sobotie, for steering the party through what he described as a defining transition following the political realignment of April 2025.
“I stand before you today filled with a deep sense of responsibility and brimming with optimism about the bright prospects of our great party,” Oborevwori said. “What began as a principled decision to align Delta State with the renewed vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has evolved into a powerful and unstoppable political movement.”
He lauded the conduct of the congresses, asserting they were a testament to internal democracy. “There was no imposition. What we witnessed is broad consultation, agreement and inclusiveness. This structure belongs to all of us,” he stated.
The governor charged the newly elected executives to prioritize grassroots engagement and voter mobilization ahead of the 2027 general elections. “Our mission is unequivocal.
We must secure victory at every level – the Presidency, the Senate, the House of Representatives, the Governorship and the State House of Assembly,” he added, expressing confidence in the party’s ability to deliver massive votes for President Tinubu and all APC candidates.
In a development that may further fuel grievances among the aggrieved faction, a new set of party leaders emerged by consensus at the congress.
Former Delta State PDP Chairman, Solomon Arenyeka, was named the new APC State Chairman. Emmanuel Egbabor, a former PDP State Organising Secretary, retained his position in the new executive. Additionally, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Sobotie, wife of the immediate past APC State Chairman, Omeni Sobotie, was appointed the State Woman Leader.
