We No Longer Have Voice In Our Party – Delta North APC

All Progressives Congress, (APC) foundation members in Delta North senatorial district under the aegis of Delta North Coalition For Equity have raised the alarm that they no longer have a voice in the affairs of the party in Delta State.

This is contained in a communique issued at the end of a stakeholders’ meeting held in Asaba, the Delta State capital on Sunday.

They called on the national chairman of the party, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, to provide decisive leadership by instituting a transparent and inclusive harmonisation framework that guarantees equity, fairness, and electoral victory at all levels.

Members in attendance unanimously demanded fair and meaningful inclusion of foundation APC members in government appointments, both at the federal and state levels, including boards and agencies.

The communique also urged the governor of Delta State,  Sheriff Oborevwori, to integrate old APC members into the governor’s political structure within the existing APC party machinery in the state.

In the  five – point  communiques, signed by the chairman, Barr. Alex Ikpeazu  and secretary general, Hon. Kemmar Emina and unanimously adopted by stakeholders from Delta North, they unequivocally demanded that the position of state APC chairman be zoned to Delta north in the next dispensation.

They noted that Delta South has already taken its turn, while Delta Central, currently occupying the position, will soon complete its tenure, stressing that zoning the position to Delta north is necessary in the interest of equity, fairness and balanced representation.

The group further called for the development of a sustainable party architecture anchored on unity, inclusiveness, equity and collective ownership, incorporating both former PDP members who recently joined the APC and the existing APC structure, as well as founding members of the party.

Another key demand was the formal involvement of Delta North APC leadership in the ongoing coalition process, including all negotiations, consultations, appointments, and party restructuring efforts, to adequately accommodate the interests of the senatorial district.

Stakeholders who spoke at the meeting, both publicly and privately, emphasized the need to “save the soul of the APC” ahead of the general elections, lamenting that founding members of the party no longer have a voice in the affairs of the party in Delta State.

“We want to save our beloved party because, as it stands today, old members of the APC no longer have a voice. We are not recognized in the scheme of things in Delta State. Meetings are called without our inclusion, and there is no clear party structure for us.

“We are demanding recognition and positions within the party. Equity and fairness demand that the party must be strong, regardless of who the governor is” a stakeholder said.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Dr. Christopher Okoba described the situation as unacceptable, likening it to landlords being displaced by tenants.

He said, “Traditionally, when you come into my house, you must recognize that I am the owner of the house. You cannot come into my house and turn me into a tenant.

“When we met with the President, he assured us that landlords cannot be overtaken by tenants, and that is the position we still maintain. Our goal is unity, fairness, and a stronger APC in Delta State.”

He added that the group was not interested in apportioning blame over the rivalry between old and new members of the party. “We are not here to blame anyone. We are here to correct and cure a defect in our party so that both old and new members can work together. If we begin to blame, it will not solve the problem, ” Okoba said.