The crisis within the Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) escalated on Monday, as a faction of legacy members threatened “political consequences” for Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, should they be marginalised ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking under the banner of the Delta State APC Coalition for Equity, the group vowed to resist any attempt by former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members – now in the APC – to exclude them from party primaries.
At a news briefing following a meeting at his country home in Ute-Ogbeje, Ika North East Local Government Area, coalition convener Alex Ikpeazu said: “Never in history has someone entered your home and taken over your place. We call on the Governor to implement the President’s directive for party harmonisation on a 60/40 per cent basis. What he is doing now is excluding us completely from the structure and primaries.
“If they think they can rob us of our rights without consequence, they are making a grave mistake. The 2027 election will be unlike any other. We have the political block to make things happen in this state.”
The coalition also issued an eight-point communiqué, signed by Ikpeazu, Ambassador Felix Datuowei (Delta South chairman), Bishop Michael Oruefe (Delta Central deputy chairman), and Ken-Chad Rafua (Delta North secretary-general).
Key demands include:
· Transparent implementation of the 60/40 per cent sharing agreement (legacy APC 60%, new PDP entrants 40%) as approved by President Bola Tinubu, with legacy leaders choosing those who fill the 60% slots at local government level.
· The Delta APC chairmanship to go to a candidate from the legacy group who followed due process.
· Rejection of the National Secretary’s claim that all court cases have been resolved, noting pending suits over the party chairmanship.
· That most ward chairmen across Delta are PDP defectors, installed through “impunity and imposition”.
· A warning that any attempt to sideline legacy members in primaries will lead to “unhealthy electoral consequences”.
· Full and unconditional support for President Tinubu’s re-election, praising his approval of the 60/40 formula.
· A call on the party’s national leadership and the Governor to implement the formula immediately to avoid acrimony.
· An appeal to all marginalised legacy APC members to join the coalition via senatorial district WhatsApp platforms.
The development deepens internal tensions in Delta APC, with the coalition insisting that only adherence to the 60/40 accord can guarantee peace and electoral viability in 2027.
