Prominent All Progressive Congress (APC) chieftain and Executive Director of the Nigeria Export and Import Bank (NEXIM), Stella Okotete, has dismissed claims of internal crisis within the party in Delta State, stating that it remains strong and united.
Speaking as a guest in TVC’s Sunday Politics, Okotete declared that former Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege remains a respected leader in the party in the state, contrary to speculations that he has been sidelined following his absence at the visit of some Delta APC leaders to President Bola Tinubu, last week.
“I don’t think it was deliberate. Omo-Agege is from my local government, and I can tell you that we don’t even have a crisis within Ughelli North local Government as we speak.
“He is highly respected as one of our leaders, and we are all working together. Yes, there may be one or two disagreements regarding the reconciliation recommendations, but that’s normal in politics.
“I wouldn’t say he or his supporters are outrightly opposing it; they have the right to express their opinions. But, I can assure you that these are issues we are working on together.
“Our focus is to bring everybody back to the table, and I believe our upcoming state caucus meeting will put to rest all these assumptions of a crisis in the APC,” she said.
On allegations of internal sabotage during the 2023 general elections, Okotete acknowledged that unity is crucial for electoral success, but insisted that the APC is taking steps to strengthen its grassroots structure.
She said,: “That’s exactly why we have the college of leaders, and the state caucus, to take ownership of the party from the grassroots and ensure unity.
“In politics, if you control your grassroots, your unit, your ward, and your local government, no one can defeat you. That is the formula for winning elections.
“Since I joined the APC in 2015, the PDP has never won my unit, my ward, or my local government. I have a House of Assembly member who has been elected twice under the APC. We’ve always won our elections.
“Even in the 2023 election, I won my ward for the APC presidential candidate. What we need to do now, and what we have already started, is ensure that everyone goes back to their wards, local governments, and communities to strengthen the party at the grassroots level.
“We are ensuring that party leaders return home, take ownership of the party, fund it, and provide direction. People are beginning to see the positive impact of the APC’s policies on the economy.
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“A sustainable momentum is building, and it will lead to a stronger economy and a better future for all. Many individuals are willing to join the APC because of this progress.”
Reacting to the successful outing of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections in the state, and it’s potential to pose a threat to the APC’s move to unseat the PDP, Okotete dismissed such concerns, maintaining that APC is the force to beat in 2027 elections.
“Do we still have a Labour Party? The last I checked, they had two factions and have yet to resolve their internal issues. What happened in 2023 wasn’t a Labour Party victory but an anti-APC movement. That sentiment is changing,” she asserted.
She further emphasized the positive impact of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, stating that his economic policies are already improving security and boosting economic growth.
The former APC national women leader said, “people are seeing the results of what President Tinubu is doing. Security in the North has improved significantly, and the economy is rebounding. By 2027, there won’t be anything called ‘Obidients’, instead, the APC will win across the board.
“I am as young as they are, and I have achieved a lot, so I am not afraid of anyone coming after me. The Obidients, the Labour Party, or whatever they call themselves are not a threat to the APC in 2027.”
