An All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirant for the Delta State House of Assembly Ughelli North Constituency II seat, Mr. Umukoro Oghenevwarhe, has dumped the party, citing the party’s decision to shut out aspirants from the screening process despite them purchasing nomination forms.
Oghenevwarhe, who recently advocated for inclusive and transparent primaries in an open letter to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, announced his resignation in a formal letter dated May 10, 2026, addressed to the APC Ward 9 chairman in Ughelli North Local Government Area.
In the letter, the Uwheru-born politician said his decision was driven by the party’s decision to shut out aspirants from the screening process, even after many had spent millions of naira to purchase nomination forms.
He alleged that candidates were ultimately imposed by party leaders without allowing members to participate in a credible selection process.
“I am resigning because the party refused to allow a democratic process for all candidates.
“The so-called leaders selected candidates to be screened without giving members a fair opportunity to choose through a proper primary process,” he stated.
The aggrieved aspirant added that he could no longer remain in a party where internal democracy is not respected, and requested that his name be removed from the party’s register and records.
Key Highlights:
- Umukoro Oghenevwarhe resigned from the All Progressives Congress over alleged lack of internal democracy in the party’s screening process.
- Oghenevwarhe claimed APC leaders imposed candidates after aspirants spent millions purchasing nomination forms without being fairly screened.
- In his resignation letter dated May 10, 2026, he accused the party of denying members a transparent and credible primary election process.
- The politician had earlier appealed to Sheriff Oborevwori to ensure inclusive and transparent primaries ahead of the 2027 elections.
- Following his resignation, Oghenevwarhe joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress alongside hundreds of supporters, a move seen as potentially influential in Ughelli North Constituency II politics.
The resignation comes shortly after Oghenevwarhe publicly appealed to Gov. Oborevwori to ensure a level playing field ahead of the 2027 elections.
In his open letter, he emphasized that equal access to nomination forms and a transparent primary process were essential for party unity and grassroots strength.
He had warned that excluding aspirants from the process could alienate loyal supporters and create internal tension, while also undermining the APC’s electoral prospects in the constituency.
Read also:
- Delta APC disowns fake list of consensus candidates for House of Assembly elections
- Delta APC rejects claims of blocking aspirants from purchasing nomination forms
- Delta APC House of Assembly aspirant urges Gov. Oborevwori to ensure inclusive primary
Following his exit, Oghenevwarhe has joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), where he was formally received by Ward 9 leaders after completing his registration.
He was accompanied by hundreds of supporters, a move observers say could significantly impact the political balance in Ughelli North Constituency II.
Oghenevwarhe is seeking to represent Ughelli North Constituency II in the state House of Assembly, currently occupied by a lawmaker from Uwheru, his home community.
