The crisis rocking the Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has deepened, with factions loyal to Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, and former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege locked in an increasingly volatile war of words. This leadership tussle, which has lingered since the 2023 general election, threatens to further destabilize the party in the state.
At the center of the dispute is the refusal of Keyamo’s faction to recognize Omo-Agege, the APC’s 2023 governorship candidate, as the party’s national leader in Delta State. The factions have accused each other of unconstitutional actions, mismanagement, and power-grabbing, intensifying tensions within the party.
Peter Nwaoboshi, a former senator representing Delta North and a key ally of Omo-Agege, has strongly criticized the reconciliation efforts led by Olorogun O’tega Emerhor. According to Nwaoboshi, the Emerhor-led committee’s report to the APC National Chairman has worsened divisions instead of uniting party leaders.
“As someone with a long history in politics, I understand the importance of adhering to party constitutions. Unfortunately, the committee has proposed leadership structures that contradict our party’s constitution, creating chaos instead of order,” Nwaoboshi lamented.
He particularly took issue with the recommendation for Omo-Agege to co-chair the party’s leadership with a serving minister. “This move not only undermines the party hierarchy but also violates Nigeria’s order of precedence, which places a senator above a minister. As a former Deputy Senate President and a member of the APC National Executive Council (NEC), Omo-Agege’s position is being unjustly diminished,” Nwaoboshi argued.
Nwaoboshi further accused the Keyamo faction of exploiting the minister’s appointment to assert dominance within the party. “The Keyamo group, emboldened by his ministerial position, is attempting to override established structures. This is unacceptable and must be resisted,” he said.
The crisis took a new twist with rumors of the planned defection of Senator Ned Nwoko, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart, to the APC. Nwaoboshi accused Nwoko of plotting to dissolve the Delta APC executive committee, describing the move as unconstitutional and self-serving.
“I have received credible reports that Nwoko, in collaboration with elements in the Presidency, is scheming to dissolve the Delta State APC executives from state to ward levels before their tenure expires. This brazen disregard for democratic principles and party structures is unacceptable,” Nwaoboshi said in a statement.
He also expressed concerns that Nwoko’s entry into the APC could undermine the party’s cohesion and his own political ambitions for 2027. “Nwoko’s actions reek of arrogance. He cannot join the party and immediately dictate its affairs. His plans to destabilize the party must be resisted to safeguard the rights of its duly elected executives,” he added.
In a sharp rebuttal, political associates of Nwoko accused Nwaoboshi of sabotaging the party’s growth in Delta State. Speaking anonymously, one associate stated, “Under Nwaoboshi’s leadership, the APC failed to make any significant impact. Nwoko’s defection offers a much-needed opportunity to rejuvenate the party and position it for success in Delta North and beyond.”
The associates dismissed Nwaoboshi’s criticisms as attempts to cling to power. “Nwaoboshi’s attacks on Nwoko are unnecessary and counterproductive. His actions risk derailing the party’s progress and jeopardizing President Bola Tinubu’s prospects for a second term,” one source warned.
With the factions refusing to back down, the Delta APC crisis highlights deeper issues within the party, including the challenge of balancing political egos, loyalty, and constitutional principles. As tensions escalate, the stakes are high for the APC’s chances of consolidating its influence in Delta State.
Political analysts have urged the party’s national leadership to intervene decisively to prevent the crisis from spiraling further out of control. For now, the Delta APC remains a house divided, its future uncertain as its leaders continue their verbal clashes.
PIONEER NEWS 