Controversy has trailed the ward and local government congresses of the All Progressives Congress in Delta State, with the exercise exposing deep divisions among party leaders.
Although the Secretary of the Committee overseeing the congresses in the state, Hon. Simon Chukwuemeka Atigwe, described the process as smooth, calm and well coordinated, dissenting voices within the party have challenged that position.
Atigwe, who addressed journalists at Ward 10 in Oshimili South Local Government Area after monitoring activities across the three senatorial districts, said members of the committee toured several wards in Delta South, Delta Central and Delta North without encountering disputes or disruptions.
“As part of our assignment, we have been moving round the state to assess the situation on ground. From Delta South to Delta Central, and now here in Delta North at Ward 10, Oshimili South, what we have seen has been commendable.”
He added that the committee interacted directly with party members and stakeholders in different wards and found the exercise peaceful, with no issues requiring intervention.
“There has been no cause for concern anywhere we visited. The process has been seamless and orderly,” Atigwe said.
He commended party faithful for their maturity, discipline and impressive turnout, noting that the unity displayed during the congress reflects what he described as the growing strength of the party in Delta State.
However, some party members faulted him over alleged manipulation of the consensus arrangement adopted for the congresses.
Leaders of the Delta North APC Coalition for Equity alleged increasing marginalisation of long standing members of the party following the defection of Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and the rising influence of his political structure within the APC.
The coalition’s Chairman, Chief Alex Ikpeazu, and Acting Secretary General, Ken Chad Rafua, alongside leaders of the old APC across local governments in the zone, said the developments have led to the exclusion of original stakeholders from key internal activities, including the drafting of consensus ward and local government executive lists.
According to the coalition, new entrants leading various APC blocs in the wards failed to invite foundational members to meetings where the so called consensus lists were prepared, contrary to directives allegedly issued by the governor and the party’s state leadership.
They maintained that the lists presented by the new bloc were not genuinely consensus driven and should be disregarded in the interest of fairness.
The group also raised concerns that members who purchased congress nomination forms were not granted access to them. They alleged that leaders of the new bloc privately completed the forms for their loyalists, excluding founding members.
In response, the party in the state rejected allegations of a lack of transparency in the conduct of the ward congresses.
Valentine Onojeghuo, State Publicity Secretary of the APC, said the process had been conducted in strict compliance with the party’s constitution and established guidelines.
“These claims are entirely false, misleading, and appear calculated to create unnecessary discord within the ranks of our party. For the purpose of clarity, the party leadership states categorically that the consensus arrangement adopted for the ward congresses was carefully designed and implemented by key stakeholders and leaders across the various wards and senatorial districts.
“The objective of this approach is to promote unity, inclusiveness, and stability, while accommodating every shade of interest within the party. Contrary to allegations in circulation, the consensus framework does not exclude or marginalise any group of party members.
“Rather, it provides a balanced platform that harmonises the interests of long-standing loyal members and new entrants who have aligned with our party. This inclusive process is intended to strengthen internal cohesion, deepen grassroots participation, and position the party for greater effectiveness. It is a win-win situation for all members, both old and new.
“At every stage, the leadership has remained committed to fairness, transparency, and due process. Any suggestion that the exercise is vindictive or targeted at specific individuals is baseless and unsupported by facts.
“We view such unfounded allegations as an unfortunate attempt to distract from the successes so far recorded in the implementation of the consensus arrangements and the steady progress the party is making in consolidating its structures across the state,” he stated.
