‘You’re A Liability’ – Confusion In Delta APC As Party’s Cheiftain Slams Gov Oborevwori’s ‘Leader Of Party’ Status

There seems to be confusion in the Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the ‘leader of party’ status conferred on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori following his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.

This is coming as Prince Collins Eselemo, an opinion leader in the state and a prominent political chieftain of the party, has rejected Governor Oborevwori’s leadership status.

BIGPEN NIGERIA (https://bigpenngr.com) had earlier reported there are signs of internal wrangling within the State’s chapter of the party arising from the defection of the governor and the entire structure of the PDP to APC.

A recent statement by the State Publicity Secretary, Ebata Valentine Onojeghuo, indicates rising tensions and disagreements over leadership of the party.

Onojeghuo revealed that an unidentified individual is attempting to overshadow the governor’s leadership in violation of the party’s constitutional provisions, which designate sitting governors as the leader of their state’s APC chapter.

But in an interview with Arise News on Wednesday, Eselemo firmly rejected the idea of Oborevwori assuming leadership of the APC in the state, labeling him a political “liability” to the APC

While not entirely opposed to Oborevwori’s entry into the APC, Eselemo emphasized that his integration should come with strict conditions rather than automatic acceptance of his leadership role. “We’re not saying he can’t join, but it must be on clearly defined terms,” he asserted.

He expressed disappointment with the national APC leadership, particularly criticizing Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo for endorsing Oborevwori as the state party leader without broad consultation.

“If we’re inheriting Sheriff, let them be clear about it,” Eselemo said.

“Keyamo, a Senior Advocate, is telling Nigerians Sheriff can come in and lead us? Lead me—someone who has fought for democracy—into what? Corruption? This signals a moral collapse within the party.”

Eselemo recalled alleged injustices suffered by APC members under Oborevwori’s former administration as a PDP governor, including the demolition of properties and land seizures without compensation.

“Our only crime was being APC members. Our assets were taken, our lands seized, and we received nothing in return,” he said. “Now we’re expected to accept him as our leader?”

He insisted that before any leadership role is considered, Oborevwori must publicly acknowledge and address the grievances inflicted on APC members. “Until Sheriff corrects those wrongs, the conversation about leadership cannot begin,” Eselemo declared.

Raising further queries, Eselemo questioned the economic implications of absorbing PDP defectors into the APC, particularly regarding Delta State’s debt burden. “If the APC is expected to repay the PDP’s N450 billion debt using state resources, let them say so,” he cautioned.

Eselemo however urged President Bola Tinubu to recognize the suffering endured by Delta APC members under Oborevwori’s tenure. “The president must be informed of the injustices we faced. They cannot be ignored,” he said.

BIGPEN NIGERIA (https://bigpenngr.com) had reported that before Oborevwori’s defection, the Delta APC was largely divided into two major factions: one led by former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege and another aligned with Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo, SAN. The Omo-Agege camp held sway over local government chapters and the state party machinery, while the Keyamo faction controlled several elected federal representatives.

But in a firm stance, Governor Oborevwori dismissed these factions during his defection rally at the Cenotaph in Asaba, asserting his authority as the party’s leader in Delta.

According to him, he had read in the newspapers that “…There is confusion and division within the APC in Delta, but with my emergence as governor, all factions must yield to my leadership,” he declared. He called on Omo-Agege and Keyamo to set aside their egos and unite for the party’s progress, pointing out that “the governor takes charge.”

Hear him; “I don’t believe in any faction, whether Omo-Agege or Keyamo faction, everybody must queue and we will unite the party to move this state forward for the benefit of our people and to bring development, peace and unity to our state and Nigeria.”

Although the structure of APC on ground before Governor Oborevwori cross carpeted is still under the grip of Omo-Agege till probably August when the party may likely conduct fresh ward and local government congresses, the APC leadership believes the governor should take charge of the affairs of the party.