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All is not well with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State. Beyond the facade of the posturing of a united APC in the State, is a storm brewing within the party as a coalition of party stakeholders has accused unnamed forces, allegedly linked to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of plotting to hijack the party’s state congress scheduled to told today, Tuesday, March 3, 2026 through what it described as a “predetermined” and “manipulated” process.

In a strongly worded statement on Monday, March 2, 2026 the Delta State APC Coalition for Equity alleged that several aspirants from the old APC bloc who duly paid for the State Chairmanship nomination forms were deliberately denied access to the forms despite full compliance with party guidelines.

The group described the refusal to release the forms as “exclusion through administrative obstruction,” arguing that it effectively shuts out qualified card-carrying members from participating in the party’s internal democratic process.

“This pattern raises serious concerns about transparency, equity and adherence to due process,” the coalition said, warning that the APC must not be reduced to “a platform where outcomes are predetermined and aspirants screened out through technical maneuvers.”

The coalition further alleged that recently defected elements from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Governor Oborevwori, were exerting undue influence over the congress arrangements.

It specifically pointed to what it called “credible fears” of an orchestrated plan to install Chief Solomon Arayinka, a former Delta State PDP Chairman, as APC State Chairman, alongside Elder Moses Idu as Deputy Chairman — a move it warned would amount to “a transfer of PDP leadership structure into the APC.”

“If accurate, such action would marginalize foundational members who built this party through sacrifice and resilience,” the statement declared, insisting that “Delta APC is not an annex of any other political formation.”

The group said the alleged irregularities have sparked widespread disenchantment among loyal members across the state and could damage party unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a dramatic escalation, the coalition called on APC faithful across Delta State not to travel to Asaba for the scheduled congress on Tuesday, March 3, warning that participation would legitimize “an already decided congress.”

“Participation in a compromised kangaroo exercise will only validate injustice and erode the credibility of our party structures,” the statement read.

The coalition demanded the immediate release of nomination forms to all aspirants who had paid for them and called for the congress to be rescheduled to a new date to allow for a free and inclusive process where all card-carrying members can vote.

It also appealed directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe, as well as members of the National Working Committee, to urgently intervene, investigate the alleged irregularities and restore credibility to the process.

“Our demand is simple: fairness, transparency and equal opportunity for all aspirants,” the coalition stated, warning that justice delayed at this critical moment could have far-reaching consequences for party cohesion and electoral prospects.

The statement was signed by Ambassador Felix Datuowei, Acting Chairman; Kenchad Rafua, Acting Secretary General; and Chief Alex Ikpeazu, described as an excluded aspirant for the Delta State APC chairmanship position.

See below full text of the statement

 

PRESS RELEASE

DEL TA STATE APC COALITION FOR EQUITY

Demand For Inclusive State Congress at a new date And Immediate

Release Of Chairmanship Forms

The Delta State APC Coalition for Equity hereby formally notifies the National Leadership

and faithful members of our great party, the All Progressives Congress, (APC) of a

disturbing development surrounding the forthcoming Delta State Congress.

Several aspirants from the old APC family in Delta State duly purchased and fully paid for

the State Chairmanship Nomination Forms. Evidence of payment has been acknowledged

by the party. Despite complete compliance with party guidelines, the nomination forms

were not released to the aspirants.

This deliberate refusal to issue forms amounts to exclusion through administrative

obstruction.

It denies qualified card-carrying members of the party their constitutional right to contest

and participate in the internal democratic process of the party.

This pattern raises serious concerns about transparency, equity and adherence to due

process.

The APC was founded on justice, fairness and equal opportunity. It must not be reduced

to a platform where outcomes are predetermined and aspirants screened out through

technical maneuvers.There are credible fears that certain recently defected elements from the People’s

Democratic Party (PDP) led by the governor- Elder Sheriff Oborevwori are exerting undue

influence over the process in a manner that undermines internal democracy.

Allegations of an orchestrated plan by the governor and his team to impose Chief

Solomon Arayinka, former Delta State PDP Chairman, as APC State Chairman and Elder

Moses Idu as APC Deputy Chairman have further heightened tension within the party.

If accurate, such action would amount to a transfer of PDP leadership structure into the

APC, thereby marginalizing foundational members who built this party through sacrifice

and resilience.

We state clearly that Delta APC is not an annex of any other political formation.

It was nurtured by committed members long before the recent wave of defections.

The unexplained delay by the Committee responsible for issuing nomination forms

alongside credible reports of undue influence is generating widespread disenchantment

among loyal members across the state.

OUR RESOLVE

1. All aspirants who paid for the Chairmanship Forms must immediately be issued

their nomination forms without delay.

2. A proper State Congress must be conducted at a new date where all card-

carrying APC members are allowed to vote freely.

3. Any attempt to impose a predetermined outcome through a manipulated

congress will not command legitimacy.

4. Internal democracy must be upheld to preserve party unity ahead of the 2027

General Elections.

WE THEREFORE CALL ON ALL APC FAITHFULS ACROSS DEL TA STATE NOT

TO TRAVEL TO ASABA ON TUESDAY THE 3rd of March TO LEGITIMIZE ANALREADY DECIDED CONGRESS.

Participation in a compromised kangaroo exercise will only validate injustice and erode

the credibility of our party structures.

We respectfully call on our president, Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu -GCFR; the National

Chairman, Professor Nentawe and members of the National Working Committee to

intervene urgently, investigate the irregularities and restore fairness and credibility to the

process by setting a new date for a proper and transparent state congress.

Our demand is simple: fairness, transparency and equal opportunity for all aspirants.

Justice delayed at this critical moment may carry far-reaching consequences for party

cohesion and electoral prospects.

This is not a struggle for personal ambition. It is a principled stand for internal democracy

and respect for those who nurtured the party through difficult seasons.

History will judge the decisions taken at this defining moment. The APC must remain a

party guided by due process rather than imposition. The Delta APC must remain a party

of members, not a platform captured by sudden entrants.

Respectfully submitted,

Ambassador Felix Datuowei

Acting Chairman

Kenchad Rafua,

Acting Secretary General

For: Delta State APC Coalition for Equity

Chief Alex Ikpeazu

(Excluded Aspirant for Delta State APC Chairmanship position