Barely two days after its reconciliation committee submitted her report for implementation, the Delta State’s chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has already been plunged into a fresh leadership crisis following conflicting claims over who should assume the role of Acting State Chairman.
The disagreement arises from the absence of Elder Omeni Sobotie, the substantive Chairman, who is currently on medical vacation.
In a press statement issued on November 30, 2024, Chief Francis Obigbor, Esq., the Deputy State Chairman, declared himself the Acting State Chairman, citing Article 14.2(iii) of the APC Constitution.
Obigbor asserted, “As the duly elected Deputy Chairman of the Delta State chapter of the APC, I have assumed duty as the Acting Chairman… This is in accordance with Article 14.2(iii) of the APC Constitution, which clearly stipulates the order of succession and designates the Deputy State Chairman as the rightful and lawful officer to perform the duties of the Chairman in an acting capacity in the absence of the State Chairman.”
However, this declaration has been strongly contested by Valentine Onojeghuo, Esq., the State Publicity Secretary, who issued a counter statement emphasizing that Chief Paulinus Akpeki, the State Vice Chairman from Delta Central Senatorial District, is the rightful Acting State Chairman.
Onojeghuo argued that the party’s constitution requires leadership continuity within the same geographical zone as the substantive chairman.
“The Deputy State Chairman, Barr. Francis Obigbor, who is from Delta North Senatorial District, cannot by any stretch of imagination… become the Acting State Chairman of the Party having not come from the same Senatorial District as the State Chairman,” Onojeghuo stated.
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He further clarified, “It is the State Vice Chairman, Chief Paulinus Akpeki, who hails from Delta Central Senatorial District with the State Chairman, that automatically becomes the Acting State Chairman.”
Onojeghuo noted that the decision to confirm Akpeki as Acting State Chairman was made by a majority of the State Working Committee (SWC). He added, “The unpretentious and equitable interpretation of the provision in Article 14:2(iii) and (iv) of the APC Constitution shows that the State Vice Chairman from the same senatorial district as the State Chairman… ensures political stability within the Party.”
The development has left party faithful divided, with both sides urging members to disregard the opposing statements. While Obigbor maintains his claim to the chairmanship, Onojeghuo has called Obigbor’s position a distraction, appealing to party members to focus on fortifying the party ahead of upcoming elections.
The leadership tussle has exposed a deepening rift within the party’s ranks, raising concerns about its stability and unity as it gears up for future political contests in the state.
