A crisis has emerged in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State over who is the acting chairman of the party following the absence of the substantive chairman, Elder Omeni Sobotie, who is on medical vacation.
While deputy state chairman of the party, Chief Francis Obigbor, declared he is the authentic and constitutional acting chairman, vice chairman of the party in Delta Central Senatorial District, Chief Akpeki, had laid claim to the acting chairman position.
The tussle started when the state publicity secretary of APC, Valentine Onojeghuo, on November 29, 2024, declared that Akpeki had been appointed as acting state chairman in Sobotie’s absence.
Obigbor, in response to Onojeghuo’s statement, said Akpeki is and remains the vice chairman of the party in Delta Central Senatorial District.
He said, “As the duly elected Deputy Chairman of the Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), I have assumed duty as the Acting Chairman of the Delta state chapter of the party in the absence of the Chairman, Elder Omeni Sobotie, who is currently on medical vacation.
“This is in accordance with Article 14.2 (iii) of the APC Constitution, which clearly stipulates the order of succession and designates the Deputy State Chairman as the rightful and lawful officer to perform the duties of the Chairman in an acting capacity in the absence of the State Chairman.
“I urge all party faithful and the general public to disregard the referenced statement purportedly confirming Chief Akpeki’s appointment, as it was issued without lawful authority and in flagrant violation of the party’s constitution,” the statement signed by Obigbor read.
Meanwhile, pioneer chairman of the APC in Delta State, Prophet Jones Ode Erue, condemned Onojeghuo’s statement, saying “It is a blatant affront to due process and a flagrant act of political recklessness.”
He said Akpeki as the Senatorial vice chairman, has no legal or moral grounds to assume the role of acting chairman position, especially when there is a subsisting deputy chairman in the party.
“The constitution of the APC is unequivocal in its stipulations. For clarity, Article 14.2(iii) states that the two Deputy National Chairmen (North and South) shall act as National Chairman in the absence of the substantive Chairman from their zone. However, this clause applies to the national level, where there are two deputies. At the state level, there is only one Deputy Chairman,” he said.
According to him, “This decision, orchestrated by the State Working Committee (SWC), is not only unconstitutional but also undermines the fragile unity of the party, threatening to plunge it into chaos.”
He said by acting outside the framework of Article 14.2(i) and (ii) of the APC Constitution, which outlines the roles and responsibilities of deputy chairmen, the SWC has demonstrated either a willful ignorance or a deliberate misinterpretation of the party’s governing document.
“For clarity, Article 14.2(iii) states that the two Deputy National Chairmen (North and South) shall act as National Chairman in the absence of the substantive Chairman from their zone. However, this clause applies to the national level, where there are two deputies. At the state level, there is only one Deputy Chairman, rendering the SWC’s argument baseless and an exercise in constitutional gymnastics.
“The insistence on Akpeki’s appointment is an assault on the principles of equity and fairness enshrined in the party’s constitution. Article 14.4 further underscores the roles of deputies at various levels, emphasizing that they are to assist and deputize in the absence of their principals.
“By bypassing the Deputy Chairman in favor of a Senatorial Vice Chairman, the SWC has not only shown a disregard for established norms but has also set a dangerous precedent that could destabilize the party’s structure.
“This maneuver reeks of an unpatriotic conspiracy to serve the interests of hidden paymasters rather than the collective good of the party. It is a betrayal of the party’s values and a disservice to its members, who deserve leadership rooted in integrity and accountability. Such actions are not only unacceptable but must be resoundingly condemned by all well-meaning party members
“The SWC’s decision is an ill-conceived excursion into irreversible political doom. Rather than fostering unity and preparing the party for the challenges ahead, it risks creating factions and eroding the trust of members. The appointment of Akpeki, under these circumstances, is a step backward and a glaring breach of the APC Constitution.”
Corroborating, the New Delta Coalition, has expressed support for Obigbo to step in as acting state chairman.
In a statement on behalf of the coalition, Mr. Godwin Anaughe noted that “Article 12.8 of the constitution explicitly states that the Deputy Chairman holds the second position in the hierarchy, while Vice Chairmen occupy the fifth position.
“We urge all party members to recognize Chief Francis Obigbo as the legitimate Acting Chairman and call on the National Leadership to address this constitutional breach. It is imperative that the Delta State chapter operates in accordance with the party’s constitution,” they stated.
