ASABA: The struggle for control of the Delta State chapter of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) has intensified, exposing deep internal divisions within the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
What was expected to be routine ward and local government congresses instead descended into controversy, parallel exercises and reported violence, highlighting a fierce battle for political dominance within the party.
At the centre of the crisis are two powerful blocs. One faction is linked to the legacy APC structure established during the party’s opposition years and associated with former Delta State governor James Ibori, former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege, and Senator Ned Nwoko.
Opposing them is a newer political alignment loyal to incumbent Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his ally, former governor Ifeanyi Okowa, following Oborevwori’s defection from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC in April 2025.
Observers note that control of party structures particularly ward and local government executives is crucial, as it determines delegate composition for party primaries and ultimately influences who secures APC tickets for the 2027 elections.
Both factions conducted separate congresses and produced different executive lists, each claiming legitimacy while seeking recognition from the party’s national leadership in Abuja.
Members of the Delta North APC Coalition for Equity accused the Oborevwori-aligned camp of sidelining long-standing party stakeholders through closed-door consensus arrangements and alleged manipulation of executive lists.
Petitions from several wards alleged exclusion of grassroots leaders, alteration of agreed executive lists and political intimidation, raising concerns about internal democracy within the party.
Tensions reportedly escalated during the local government congress in Ethiope West, where supporters of federal lawmaker Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu were allegedly attacked by suspected political thugs.
Witnesses said the confrontation caused panic and injuries before security personnel evacuated the lawmaker from the venue.
Traditional authorities in Oghara Kingdom condemned the incident, describing it as a serious threat to peace and constitutional order, particularly questioning the last-minute relocation of the congress venue from Ogharefe Township Stadium to Ovade village.
Despite the incident, Ibori-Suenu urged her supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding, insisting intimidation would not derail democratic participation.
The Oborevwori-aligned APC leadership dismissed claims of violence and parallel congresses, maintaining that the exercise was peaceful across Delta State’s 25 local government areas.
According to the state publicity secretary, Valentine Onojeghuo, the congress complied with guidelines approved by the party’s National Working Committee and was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
However, with rival factions submitting separate executive lists for national recognition, analysts warn that the dispute now rests with the APC’s national leadership, whose decision could determine whether the party stabilizes or faces deeper fragmentation.
Political observers note striking similarities between the current APC crisis and past internal conflicts that weakened the PDP in Delta State, cautioning that unresolved factional rivalry could undermine party cohesion and heighten political tensions ahead of 2027.
