Fresh crisis is rocking the Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the constitution of a 52-member state leadership council to be co-chaired by the former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, and the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo.
The crisis over the leadership council, sources said is between loyalists of the former Senate deputy president, and the aviation minister over the control of the APC machinery in Delta State.
While the minister’s faction favours the emergency of the leadership council, the Omo-Agege faction is opposed to it.
Also, at the centre of the current leadership crisis it was learnt, is the party’s governorship ticket for the 2027 general elections, amid speculations of Chief Great Ogboru, joining the party with his eyes on seeking the APC gubernatorial ticket.
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Ogboru joining the APC is seen by the supporters of Sen. Omo-Agege, as a stumbling block to his governorship ambition.
Membership of the now contentious council was drawn from all the local government areas of Delta State, and was to be inaugurated on March 8, 2025, at the APC state secretariat in Asaba by 12pm.
This was contained in a letter dated February 24, 2025, and signed by Valentine Onojeghuo, the APC state publicity secretary.
He said in the letter that the constitution and inauguration of the APC state leadership council is based on the recommendations of the reconciliation committee, adopted by the state working committee of the party, and approved by the national leadership of the party.
“All members of the Delta APC leadership council are to attend this significant event as we embark on a new chapter of leadership, and reconciliation. Your participation is crucial in strengthening our party’s vision, and mission,” Onojeghuo said.
However, a faction of the party led by Sen. Omo-Agege, has disclaimed knowledge of the constitution of the state APC leadership council, and their membership of the council.
“We categorically and unequivocally deny any involvement, association, or knowledge of this council, and we condemn in the strongest terms the blatant, and egregious attempt to falsely affiliate us with this illegitimate and unconstitutional entity,” they said in a dissociating their membership of the council..
The creation of the council, they said is an affront to the APC constitution, and the principles of democracy, declaring that “its establishment is a brazen and unauthorized act that contravenes the party’s constitution and the laws of Nigeria.
“The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has clarified that it did not grant approval for the inauguration or operation of this council, contrary to their claims.
“Furthermore, we do not support the proposal that the college of leaders should nominate party executives, and select party candidates. This proposal contradicts our party’s constitution, which grants the power to elect party executives and nominate candidates solely to registered members.
“Our party’s constitution and extant laws clearly, outline the democratic process for electing party executives and candidates, leaving no room for the college of leaders to usurp this power.
“We therefore strongly object to our names being surreptitiously included in this document without our knowledge, consent, or participation.
“This is a clear and blatant violation of our rights, and an attempt to maliciously drag us into an illegal and unconstitutional venture. We will not allow our names to be used to legitimize this sham contraption.”
According to them, while the creators of the leadership council have the right to establish their own structures or pressure groups to advance their interests, they have no right to include them as members without their consent.
“We will not participate in or support their illegitimate, and unconstitutional activities. We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its constitution.
“We will continue to work tirelessly to promote the party’s interests, unity, and values. However, we will not recognize or subscribe to any non-constitutional organ, regardless of its name or claims.
“We demand that our names be immediately, and unconditionally excluded from any documents or publications related to this council. We also demand that the creators cease, and desist from using our names to lend legitimacy to their illegal venture.
“We urge all party members and stakeholders to reject this illegitimate council and its unconstitutional proposals. We must stand together to protect our party’s democratic foundations and uphold the rule of law,” they added.
Meanwhile, the APC national working committee in a statement on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said it didn’t grant approval for the constitution of the leadership council as claimed by the state executive of the party.
Morka said in the letter: ” This is to clarify that the NWC didn’t grant approval for the inauguration or operation of a “leadership council” in the Delta State chapter of our party, as claimed by reports.
“The said”leadership council” is not a body created or recognised under the party’s constitution, which clearly spells out the statutory organs, structures and committees of the party, and their respective powers and functions.
“The”leadership council” is not one of such constitutional organs, ad hoc-structures or committed of the party.”
