Uncertainty as Delta APC Chairman Announces Return Amid Leadership Crisis

A leadership struggle has emerged within the Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the overseas medical trip of the party’s chairman, Omeni Sobotie. His absence created a power vacuum, resulting in the rise of two rival acting chairmen.

The situation worsened when the State Working Committee (SWC) appointed Paulinus Akpeki, vice chairman for the Delta Central Senatorial District, as the acting state chairman. The SWC justified the appointment, citing Sobotie’s medical trip as the cause for the temporary vacancy. On November 29, 2024, the state publicity secretary, Valentine Onojeghuo, confirmed Akpeki’s new role.

However, this decision was met with strong resistance from the party’s deputy chairman, Francis Obigbor, who asserted that he was the rightful acting chairman in Sobotie’s absence. Obigbor contended that the SWC’s appointment violated Article 14.2 (iii) of the APC constitution, which mandates that the deputy chairman assume the acting role. He declared Akpeki’s appointment as invalid and urged party members to disregard it.

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In a statement titled “Leadership Update: I Assume Duty As Acting Chairman of Delta APC”, Obigbor emphasized that, as the elected deputy chairman, he was constitutionally entitled to serve as the acting chairman. He further clarified that Akpeki, who remains the vice chairman for Delta Central, did not hold the constitutional authority to take over the state chairmanship role.

The controversy deepened when Peter Nwaoboshi, a former senator from Delta North, accused Akpeki’s appointment of being a “coup” and a significant threat to the party’s unity and stability. Nwaoboshi’s comments highlighted growing concerns over the legitimacy of Akpeki’s appointment and its potential to destabilize the APC in the state.

Meanwhile, the leadership in Delta Central has also rejected Akpeki’s appointment. A joint statement from local government chairmen in the region, including Onoabedje Obakpororo of Ughelli North, condemned the decision as unconstitutional. The chairmen reiterated that, in line with the APC constitution, the deputy chairman should step in during the chairman’s absence, not a district vice chairman.

The chairmen expressed concern that ignoring the party’s constitutional provisions could cause further division and weaken the APC in Delta State.

In the midst of the crisis, a letter surfaced within 48 hours, signed by the substantive chairman, Omeni Sobotie, currently abroad for medical treatment. The letter, addressed to Akpeki, confirmed Sobotie’s return and resumption of his duties as the state chairman, signaling an end to the interim leadership dispute.