Delta APC chairmen, others seek sanctions against 2023 poll saboteurs

All Progressives Congress stakeholders in the Delta Central Senatorial District, comprising party leaders and local government chairmen, have called for sanctions against party members suspected of sabotaging the electoral fortunes of the party in the 2023 general elections.

They argued that the issue “raises questions about preventing future betrayals in 2027 if those involved in the 2023 debacle are not held accountable.”

At a public hearing of the Secretariat Subcommittee of the Olorogun O’tega Emerhor-led Reconciliation Committee for Delta Central, held at the PTI Conference Centre in Effurun on Thursday, the stakeholders presented memorandums expressing their concerns.

Delegates reaffirmed their support for Senator Ovie Omo-Agege’s candidacy in 2027, citing “his capacity, followership, and courage to challenge the PDP.”

“He is the only visible person right now in the party who can dislodge the PDP in Delta,” said a delegate.

The Delta Central stakeholders expressed dissatisfaction with Elder Omeni Sobotie’s leadership of the State Working Committee and called for a shift in focus to “a 2023 Elections Evaluation Committee to investigate the actions of party leaders during the governorship elections, identifying and sanctioning saboteurs to prevent similar betrayals in 2027.”

Top leaders of the APC Delta Central Senatorial District, including a former member of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Abel Oshevire; a chieftain of the party, Chief Christopher Ominimini Obivwevbi; a member of the State Working Committee, Hon. Chuks Erhire; the State Woman Leader, Mrs. Ana Agoda; the Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Area, Hon. Onoabedje Obakpororo; and the Chairman of Uvwie Local Government Area, Hon. Illeleji Wilfred, strongly criticised the state chairman and working committee “for failing to provide effective leadership to the party.”

These prominent stakeholders accused the state party chairman of “failing to convene or hold any executive meetings with the State Working Committee members or engage with local government executives since taking office.”

According to them, the party’s poor performance in recent elections was “largely due to the ineffective leadership and lack of vision from the state chairman and working committee.”

Representing the APC Ughelli North Elders and Leaders, Christopher Obivwevbi stated that the party would have won the last election “if not for the betrayal by some of its top leaders.”

“Those who betrayed the party were not ordinary members or followers, but leaders who failed to uphold the party’s interests,” Obivwevbi claimed.

Obivwevbi stressed the need to review the party’s performance in the last election, noting that a post-election review is essential after every election.

He questioned the purpose of a reconciliation committee, suggesting instead that an evaluation committee should be established to investigate the 2023 elections and recommend sanctions for those who betrayed the party.

“The first thing to do is to review our performance in the last elections. After every election, there should be a post-election review. What we need is not a reconciliation committee—who is reconciling whom, and who is the aggrieved person, and at what time is the person aggrieved?

“We need to evaluate what happened and identify areas for improvement. Those who traded with the party’s mandate must be held accountable before we can move forward.

“The evaluation committee would serve as a deterrent to potential betrayers in future elections, ensuring that the party learns from its mistakes and moves forward with integrity. The reconciliation committee is a distraction from the real issues,” he added.

In his contribution, Abel Oshevire faulted the state chairman-led reconciliation committee, stating, “He hasn’t called a single executive meeting since taking office.”

Also speaking, the APC Chairman in Uvwie LGA, Illeleji Wilfred, argued that “the current leadership has become a clog in the progress of Delta APC. It’s time for a change.”

He then moved for a no-confidence vote against the chairman and State Working Committee, which delegates unanimously approved with a resounding ‘yes.’

In response, Elder Godsday Orubebe urged party members to focus on the future, stating that “the current executives are transitional.”

“We will select the next EXCO from every ward, ensuring all leaders are involved and it’s all-embracing, from wards to local governments,” he assured.

The stakeholders, however, insisted on their demand for “accountability, effective leadership, and sanctions for saboteurs to prevent future betrayal.”