Prince Collins Eselemo

 

*won’t stop Tinubu’s victory, be rejected

 

By Oke Adamudagha

 

The Delta State Chieftain of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Prince Collins Eselemo, has described the recent defection of the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and Delta State People Democratic Party, PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as inconsequential.

Eselemo had stated that the only value of Gov Oborevwori to Delta APC would be nothing but liability, and that his leadership should be totally rejected, saying that the governor was never a progressive and that his defection won’t stop President Tinubu’s victory in Delta come 2s2027.

Prince Eselemo who made this statements during an interview with Arise News on Wednesday, has affirmed his position by rejecting the idea of Oborevwori assuming leadership of the APC in the state, calling him a political “liability.”

While not entirely opposed to Oborevwori’s entry into the APC, Eselemo pointed out that his integration should come with strict conditions rather than automatic acceptance or leadership. “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 concerns, 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 concluded by urging 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.