Congress Conclusively Settled, No Candidate Imposition — Delta APC

The Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has insisted that issues surrounding the party’s recent congresses have been conclusively settled.

This may not be unconnected to claims of an alleged 60/40 sharing formula between “Delta APC Coalition for Equity members” and new entrants into the party following the defection of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to the APC in April 2025.

The party has therefore dismissed a purported statement by the Delta APC Coalition, describing it as “false, misleading, and mischievous.”

It also dismissed reports suggesting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed the implementation of such an arrangement, describing the claim as a “deliberate falsehood.”

In a strongly worded statement issued on Tuesday by the State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Valentine Onojeghuo, the party said the publication being circulated in sections of the media was a deliberate attempt to “sow discord and confusion” within the APC ahead of future political activities in the state.

The party maintained that the congresses were conducted in line with the APC constitution and guidelines approved by the National Working Committee (NWC), stressing that the outcome had already received the backing of the party’s National Convention held on March 28, 2026, in Abuja.

“Every issue relating to the recently concluded party congresses in Delta State is done and dusted,” the statement said.

“The congresses were duly conducted in accordance with the Constitution of our great party and the guidelines issued by the National Working Committee of the APC. More importantly, the outcome of the congresses has already been ratified by the National Convention of the party, thereby conferring full legitimacy and finality on the process.”

The APC warned that any attempt to reopen issues arising from the congresses outside constitutionally recognised channels amounts to “political mischief” and would not be entertained.

The party also denied claims of an alleged 60/40 sharing formula between “legacy members” and new entrants into the party following the defection of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to the APC in April 2025.

According to the statement, “At no time before the alignment of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Elder Sheriff Oborevwori, with the APC was there any agreement, written or unwritten, regarding the sharing of party structures as a precondition for his entry into the party.”

“Delta State APC categorically states that no such arrangement exists, has ever existed, or forms part of the operational framework of the party in Delta State,” the statement added.

On the controversy surrounding the office of the state chairman, the APC insisted there is no constitutional basis for reserving the position for so-called “legacy members.”

“The Constitution of the APC recognises all members as equal stakeholders, irrespective of when they joined the party. It guarantees every qualified member equal right to aspire to leadership positions, participate in party activities, and contribute to the growth of the party,” Onojeghuo stated.

The party also defended the emergence of executives across the state, saying the process was based on broad consensus and inclusiveness.

It noted that the absence of parallel congresses across the state is proof that the exercise was peaceful and widely accepted.

“For the first time in the history of congresses in Delta State APC, there were no parallel congresses anywhere in the state. This alone demonstrates the maturity of party members and the effectiveness of the leadership in managing the process peacefully,” the statement noted.

Reacting to allegations of planned imposition of candidates ahead of the party primaries, the APC said no such plan exists, assuring members of a transparent and democratic process.

“Every qualified member of the party has the inalienable right to aspire to and contest for any elective office for which he or she is qualified,” the party stated, describing claims of candidate imposition as “the product of infantile political imagination.”

The APC accused unnamed individuals of attempting to destabilise peace within the party but insisted that such efforts would fail.

“The party remains united under the leadership of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Elder Sheriff Oborevwori and its duly recognised state chairman, Chief Solomon Arenyeka,” the statement said.

The party urged members across the 25 local government areas of the state to remain calm and focused, insisting that the APC remains committed to “justice, fairness, unity, and the continued expansion of the party across Delta State.”