Stakeholders in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State have passed a vote of confidence on the state Chairman of the party, Elder Omeni Sobotie.
In a show of solidarity, members of the National Assembly, the State Working Committee, key party stakeholders, and prominent political leaders, on Friday in a joint resolution, passed a vote of confidence on Sobotie, dismissing calls for his removal from office as baseless and divisive.
They lauded Sobotie’s leadership and achievements in fostering party unity, effective administration, and growth of the APC in Delta State, accusing those calling for his removal of engaging in fraudulent practices, and reaffirmed their trust in Sobotie’s leadership, while pledging continued support for his administration.
Prominent APC members who signed the resolution include, Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Sen. Ned Nwoko (Delta North), Sen. Ede Dafinone (Delta Central), Sen. Joel Onowakpo-Thomas (Delta South), Stella Okotete, Executive Director, NEXIM Bank, Chief Great Ogboru, Elder Godsday Orubebe, former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, and several members of the State Working Committee of the APC .
The statement dismissed the petition against Sobotie as the work of “desperate individuals,” aiming to destabilize the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
It urged APC members in the state to remain united, and focused on strengthening the party’s position in Delta State.
Meanwhile in a petition addressed to the National Chairman of APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, the opponents of Sobotie accused him of gross misconduct, alleging that he was secretly working with the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State.
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The petition signed by Chief Francis Obigbor, the state deputy chairman, Peter Akarogbe, state secretary, accused Sobotie of fraternizing with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to weaken APC’s structure in Delta State.
Also, they accused him of failing to convene regular state executive council and state working committee meetings, ruling the party with impunity, misusing his position to attack the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka and allegedly receiving financial incentives from PDP to undermine APC’s electoral prospects.
The SEC also passed a vote of confidence in APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, rejecting Sobotie’s petition for his removal.
They described the petition against Morka as “reckless and baseless,” emphasizing that it did not represent the official position of the state executive committee.
This internal strife within the Delta APC, has revealed a significant division within the party, with both factions pushing contrasting narratives.
While one group is rallying behind Sobotie, highlighting his achievements and leadership style, the opposing group is calling for his removal, citing allegations of incompetence, lack of transparency, and secret dealings with the PDP.
As the battle for the soul of Delta APC intensifies, all eyes will be on the party’s national leadership to determine the fate of Sobotie and the future direction of the APC in Delta State.