Fresh controversy has emerged in Delta State over the All Progressives Congress (APC) directive requiring defectors to present resignation and acceptance letters, as the state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Mrakpor, has alleged attempts to forge and backdate resignation documents.
Mrakpor described the alleged move as fraudulent and a clear violation of due process, warning that the PDP would not hesitate to pursue legal action against those involved.
His allegation is coming amid growing anxiety triggered by the directive of the APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, mandating defectors seeking elective positions within the party to provide verifiable proof of their disengagement from their former parties, including documented acceptance of their resignation by party authorities.
According to Mrakpor, none of the recent defectors from the PDP followed due procedure before leaving the party, insisting that no resignation letters were submitted at the ward level prior to the mass defection.
“The attempt to forge and backdate resignation letters is not only illegal but a desperate move that will fail. None of those who defected submitted resignation letters to their wards before the mass defection,” he stated.
He added that the PDP leadership in the state is closely monitoring the situation and is prepared to challenge any irregularities through the courts, signaling a potential legal battle that could further complicate the eligibility of defectors under the APC’s new rules.
The development introduces a sharp twist to what had been widely viewed as a relatively smooth pathway for defectors in Delta State.
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Earlier assessments suggested that compliance with the APC directive would be easier in the state, given that the entire PDP structure had collapsed into the APC, with key leadership figures transitioning into equivalent positions.
However, Mrakpor’s claims now cast doubt on that assumption, raising questions about the authenticity of any documentation that may be presented by defectors seeking to regularize their status within the APC.
Political analysts say the allegation, if substantiated, could undermine the administrative advantage Delta was perceived to have and expose defectors to both legal risks and disqualification from internal party contests.
Despite the wave of defections, Mrakpor maintained that the PDP in Delta remains intact and resilient, expressing confidence in the party’s grassroots structure across wards and local government areas.
As the APC moves closer to its internal elections, the interplay between regulatory enforcement and legal scrutiny is expected to play a decisive role in determining who ultimately qualifies to contest, particularly in states like Delta where the lines between old and new political alignments remain contested.
