The political atmosphere in Delta Central has become charged and uncertain as the All Progressives Congress (APC) battles internal convulsions triggered by alleged moves by Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori to take over the party structure from former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, through what many party insiders describe as “a backdoor political coup.”
The development has sharply divided the APC in Delta State into two rival blocs — Omo-Agege’s loyalists, who control a section of the party’s grassroots structure, and Oborevwori’s loyalists, made up largely of another section of party grassroots support base and recent converts of former PDP stalwarts now rallying behind the governor.
Before his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC. The structure, particularly in Delta Central Senatorial District, was partly polarised between Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and the College of Leaders led by Hon. Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamu.
Since his defection, however, the governor and his team, led by prominent former PDP figures have allegedly embarked on a calculated plan to dismantle Omo-Agege’s grassroots network and replace it with loyalists aligned to the governor.
A source within the party described the ongoing moves as “a cleansing operation disguised as party discipline.” According to the source, “the plan is simple — remove every known Omo-Agege loyalist at the local and ward level, replace them with new faces loyal to Oborevwori, and consolidate control ahead of 2027.”
The plot first became evident on Thursday, October 2, 2025, when APC leaders in Ethiope West Local Government Area met in Sapele and announced the suspension of the local government chairman, Hon. Efe Amughoro, and his vice, Hon. Andrew Eyuren, over alleged gross misconduct. The meeting, spearheaded by Chief Ighoyota Amori, the Chief Adviser to the Governor, alongside Chief Barr. Anthony Odaji Akwemene and Chief Barr. John Nani, declared that new acting officers had been selected from the wards of the suspended executives “in line with the party’s constitution.”
The communiqué was presented to the Delta Central APC Chairman, Chief Paulinus Akpeki, who promptly endorsed the suspension, vowing to take full responsibility and warning that “indiscipline will not be tolerated.” Political observers, however, interpret the move as part of a wider plan to weaken Omo-Agege’s loyal base across Delta Central.
Barely two days later, Omo-Agege’s loyalists reacted strongly. On Saturday, October 4, 2025, members of the APC in Ethiope West Local Government Area convened an emergency meeting at the party’s secretariat in Oghara and unanimously rejected the purported suspension of their chairman and vice.
At the end of the meeting, members passed a vote of confidence on Hon. Efe Amughoro and his vice, Hon. Andrew Eyuren, describing them as the authentic leadership of the APC in Ethiope West. The meeting, attended by key stakeholders from Omo-Agege camp including Chief Hope Abijor, Hon. Blessing Achoja (Member representing Ethiope West Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly), Chief Wilson Odafe Omene, and others, also passed a vote of no confidence on Chief Paulinus Akpeki, accusing him of working with Amori and the governor’s camp to destroy the party’s internal cohesion.
Speakers at the meeting described the suspension as illegal, unconstitutional, null, and void. “Chief Amori and his group have not come to build the APC; they came to destroy it from within,” said Chief Wilson Omene, echoing the sentiments of members of Omo-Agege camp.
Omo-Agege’s supporters warned that the infiltration of the party by Oborevwori’s loyalists under the guise of unity could ultimately lead to the collapse of the APC in Delta State.
The crisis soon spread beyond Ethiope West as reports emerged of another major shake-up in Ughelli North. The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ughelli North Local Government Area has suspended its chairman, Mr. Obakpororo Onabaedje, along with the secretary, Ms. Beauty Ubogun-Nze, and the organizing secretary, Mr. Henry Ophori.
The decision, contained in a letter dated October 4, 2025, and addressed to the APC Delta State chairman, cited their alleged involvement in anti-party activities and failure to convene party meetings since June 2023. According to the letter, which was co-signed by Mr. Samuel Evwighono, Ms. Juliet Oduma, and 24 other party members, the suspension followed an emergency meeting held at the APC Secretariat on October 4, 2025.
The letter stated that a valid vote of no confidence was passed against the trio for repeatedly violating Articles 21(2) and (3) of the APC Constitution. It alleged that they organized rallies that vilified the State Party Leader and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, collaborated with the opposition All Democratic Congress (ADC), and caused divisions by refusing to recognize new members who defected to the APC.
Following their suspension, the Ughelli North APC announced the appointment of Mr. Samuel Evwighono as Acting Chairman, Ms. Juliet Oduma as Acting Secretary, and Mr. Daniel Osiebe as Organizing Secretary, pending ratification by the State Working Committee. The meeting also passed a vote of confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for their “commitment to the party’s progress.”
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The timing of the Ughelli North suspensions, however, has raised eyebrows. It came barely 24 hours after the inauguration of the Ughelli North Leadership Council at the Evwreni country home of the founding APC leader in Delta State, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, a meeting that was intended to promote unity and reconciliation among members. According to an insider source only six of ward chairmen reportedly attended, underscoring the deepening divisions within the local chapter.
Sources within the party told The Trumpet that Omo-Agege’s rigid stance and demands have been a major trigger for the ongoing political onslaught. The former Deputy Senate President, reportedly seeking a balanced power-sharing arrangement, has demanded the Delta Central Senatorial ticket for himself, the nomination of the Ughelli North/Ughelli South/Udu Federal Constituency candidate, and two Delta State House of Assembly slots in Ughelli North for the 2027 elections.
The governor’s camp, however, views these demands as excessive and capable of upsetting the political equilibrium. Although unconfirmed sources say Omo-Agege has already been “offered” the senatorial seat, other concessions remain fiercely contested. For Oborevwori’s strategists, securing control of the APC structure is vital for political survival in 2027; hence the drive to purge Omo-Agege’s loyalists across the board.
Political observers see the unfolding events as part of a broader struggle for dominance in Delta politics. Dr. Felix Okeme, a Warri-based political analyst, described the crisis as “a dangerous game of power and loyalty.” According to him, “Oborevwori has the power of incumbency and state resources, while Omo-Agege commands the loyalty of a section of grassroots support. What we are witnessing is a backdoor political coup, a battle for who controls the APC machinery before 2027.”
He cautioned that if both camps fail to find a middle ground, the APC could implode long before the next general election. From Ethiope West to Ughelli North, the APC in Delta Central has become a battleground of competing loyalties and political maneuvering. While the governor’s camp continues to install new officers, Omo-Agege’s loyalists are mobilizing to resist what they call “the hijack of the APC through the back door.”
What began as a merger of interests is rapidly descending into an all-out war for political survival. As 2027 approaches, all eyes are on Delta to see how these diverse interests will be managed.
