The internal crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State has taken another dramatic turn, as the leadership of the party in the state has rejected the report of a reconciliation committee submitted to the party’s national secretariat by the state Vice Chairman for Delta Central Senatorial District, Paulinus Akpeki.
Already, the state chapter of the party has distanced itself from the actions of Akpeki, describing it as illegal and has called on the party’s National Working Committee to disregard any report or representation made by Akpeki, as such actions are unauthorized.
In a press statement signed by the acting state APC Chairman, Francis Obigbor, the party denounced the recent actions of us Akpeki, accusing him of overstepping his authority.
“The attention of the Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been drawn to an unauthorized presentation by Paulinus Akpeki, who purportedly received a report on behalf of the state working committee.
“We categorically state that Akpeki has no authority to receive any report or present the same before the national chairman. His actions are a clear usurpation of power and a deliberate attempt to cause confusion within the party,” Obigbor stated.
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He maintained that he remains the acting state chairman of the party and assured members that the reconciliation report when officially received will be subjected to rigorous scrutiny by the state working committee, state caucus, and state executive committee.
Further complicating the situation within the state APC is the failure of the substantive Chairman, Omeni Sobotie, to resume office after a prolonged medical leave, despite notifying the party of his decision to cut short his medical leave.
Sobotie’s prolonged absence has left a leadership gap that is now fueling the ongoing power tussle in the APC, which may jeopardise the success of the reconciliation efforts led by Olorogun O’Tega Emerhor to restore stability to the party.