APC Chieftain Condemns Suspension of Ughelli North LG Exco, Alleges Oborevwori Plans to Hijack Party Structure Ahead of Congress

…says action reveals Oborevwori’s fear of losing 2027 Political Structure

 

From Polycarp Orosevwotu

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned, in strong terms, the suspension of the Ughelli North APC executive members on Monday.

The chieftain alleged that the move was a calculated attempt by Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to dislodge the old party members in favor of newly aligned APC members loyal to him.

Speaking to Watchmann News on the condition of anonymity, the party chieftain said the suspension clearly reflects Governor Oborevwori’s fears of losing control of the APC structure in the lead-up to the December party congress, a crucial step in securing the 2027 governorship ticket.

The suspension, which took place during a press briefing held at a popular hotel opposite the Ughelli Area Command, was based on what many party insiders described as “watery and unfounded” allegations. These included failure to convene APC meetings and accusations of gross misconduct.

Those suspended include the Ughelli North APC Chairman, Mr. Obakpororo Onoabedje, the Secretary, Barr. Beauty Ubogun-Nze, and the Organizing Secretary, Mr. Henry Ophori. The chieftain described the process as a “palace coup” orchestrated to weaken the existing APC leadership.

Reliable sources have suggested that the suspension may not be unrelated to broader political strategies aimed at replacing longstanding APC executives across all 25 local government areas in Delta State. The goal, it is alleged, is to install loyalists who would back Oborevwori’s second-term bid in 2027.

Further fueling these suspicions are reports that the suspension was a direct fallout from a recent APC meeting held at the residence of a respected party elder. It is alleged that the Ughelli North council chairman executed the suspension as part of a deal to offer the governor a smooth path through the upcoming party congress.

The chieftain expressed concern that, while other states are busy working to consolidate support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, the Delta State government is instead destabilizing its own party through internal conflict and executive purges.

He emphasized that many members defected from the PDP to join the APC, and met an existing party structure already in place. Rather than cooperate with these members to build the party, he said, the new entrants are attempting to dominate by force and fear, which he described as “unfair and unacceptable.”

“The Delta PDP, led by His Excellency Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, met an already established APC structure,” he stated. “It is unreasonable to expect that those who built the house should be forced to vacate it for newcomers who have offered nothing in return.”

He added, using an analogy: “How can you visit someone’s house, get offered a cup of water, and then leave with the cup? Who then owns the house? PDP members who came as visitors now want to take over the living room and push the homeowner into a corner of his own house.”

The chieftain noted that despite earlier rumors that Oborevwori would dissolve parts of the PDP executive council to accommodate former APC members, nothing of that sort has happened. He suggested that the governor is biding his time to see if his 2027 return ticket is secure before making such moves, a clear indication that Delta APC is divided and no unity.