A political storm is brewing within the Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as Engr. Felix Orhomuru Akpoyibo, National Coordinator of the New Delta Grassroot Movement, has issued a strongly worded protest over what he describes as the imposition of a senatorial candidate in Delta Central.
In separate communications addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, Akpoyibo warned of an impending crisis capable of destabilizing the party in the South-South region if urgent intervention is not undertaken.
At the heart of the controversy is a planned political event scheduled for Sunday, April 26, 2026, in Ughelli, where Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is alleged to have mobilized the entire party structure to endorse Senator Ede Dafinone at Oharisi Primary School.
According to Akpoyibo, a directive issued by the State Publicity Secretary, Valentine Onojeghuo, mandates the compulsory attendance of State Working Committee members, State Executive Committee members, all eight Local Government Area chairmen and their executives, as well as ward chairmen and their executives across Delta Central.
He described the move as “a command performance by party structure” rather than a democratic process, alleging that it effectively shuts out other aspirants and undermines internal party democracy.
Akpoyibo argued that the development runs contrary to the directive of President Tinubu, who has consistently emphasized all-inclusive consensus in candidate selection, with direct primaries as the fallback option where consensus fails. He further referenced a resolution of the APC National Working Committee at its 186th meeting, which stipulates that the absence of unanimous agreement among aspirants automatically necessitates direct primaries.
Quoting the party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Durosinmi Meseko, he noted that nomination forms remain open to all qualified members, stressing that the situation in Delta Central contradicts this position.
“There is no evidence of consensus among aspirants, nor any indication that direct primaries will be conducted. What is being orchestrated is candidate imposition—pure and simple,” he stated.
The protest also situates the development within a broader internal struggle within the Delta APC, involving legacy party stakeholders and newer entrants following Governor Oborevwori’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on April 23, 2025.
Akpoyibo identified key figures in the legacy bloc to include former governor James Ibori, former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege, and Senator Ned Nwoko, noting that they played foundational roles in building the APC structure in the state during its years in opposition.
He alleged that instead of fostering unity, the current political realignment has resulted in the systematic exclusion of long-standing party members. Reports from Delta North, he said, indicate that grassroots mobilizers who contributed significantly to the party’s 2023 electoral success are being sidelined, while party executive lists are allegedly altered without due process and nomination forms withheld from aspirants.
Warning of the potential fallout, Akpoyibo said the situation has created widespread disillusionment within party ranks. He cautioned that any attempt to disenfranchise long-standing stakeholders in favour of recent entrants would send “a very wrong signal” not only across Delta State but throughout the South-South region.
He further claimed that party members are nearing a breaking point, citing growing frustration at the ward level and warning of possible large-scale defections if corrective measures are not taken.
In his petition to the APC National Chairman, Akpoyibo argued that the alleged actions violate the APC Constitution and the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, which require either a consensus arrangement backed by the written consent of all aspirants or the conduct of direct primaries.
He called for the immediate cancellation of the planned Ughelli declaration, a halt to all forms of coordinated endorsements, and a binding directive preventing party executives at all levels from being compelled to support any aspirant outside due process.
Additionally, he urged the deployment of a neutral monitoring team from the APC National Secretariat to oversee the senatorial primary process in Delta State and ensure strict compliance with party guidelines.
Akpoyibo also called on the national leadership to publicly reaffirm its opposition to candidate imposition and to guarantee the right of every qualified party member to contest elections without intimidation or institutional bias.
He emphasized that the stakes are high for the APC, warning that failure to address the situation decisively could erode confidence in the party and weaken its prospects in the South-South ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“The APC cannot project credibility in national governance if its internal processes are undermined by imposition and structural manipulation,” he stated.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official response from the APC national leadership or the Delta State Government regarding the allegations.
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