A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta state, Hon. Efe Ofobruku, has decried a “takeover mentality” by some former members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who lately defected to the APC.
Talking throughout an interview on TVC’s Politics Tonight, Ofobruku stated the APC within the state was steady till the latest inflow of defectors from the PDP, alleging that a few of the newcomers have tried to “hijack” the celebration’s construction and sideline long-standing members.
Ofobruku, who represented Uvwie Constituency within the State Meeting, accused sure former PDP members of orchestrating what he referred to as “kangaroo suspensions” and “unlawful removals” of APC officers in some native authorities areas, together with Ughelli North and Ethiope West, with out following due course of.
The 2-time member of the Delta State Home of Meeting (DSHA) stated, “Our celebration, the APC, was steady till the inflow of those folks from the PDP. They got here in behaving as if they’d conquered territory, as if the celebration now belonged to them. They’re trying to hijack the whole lot and trample on these of us who constructed the celebration.”
“Some individuals who’re already eyeing elective places of work in 2027, with the assist of those new entrants, bumped into and introduced the suspension of APC chairmen in Ughelli North and Ethiope West. That’s illegal. You can’t come into a celebration and begin eradicating folks you met there,” he stated.
The APC stalwart maintained that the celebration’s structure and the Nigerian Structure each assure truthful listening to earlier than any disciplinary motion might be taken in opposition to members, lamenting that the disregard for due course of was creating pointless rigidity on the grassroots.
“Part 36 of the 1999 Structure offers for a good listening to. What we see in Delta APC immediately are kangaroo actions. These actions will solely overheat the system,” he warned.
Ofobruku insisted that the Delta APC was vibrant and united earlier than the defection of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his supporters from the PDP, describing the celebration on the time as “a premiership workforce.”
“Anybody who says Delta APC was weak earlier than Governor Oborevwori and his workforce joined just isn’t being truthful. They left the PDP as a result of the APC was the extra formidable platform. We welcomed them in good religion as a result of politics is a recreation of numbers, however they have to combine correctly and respect current constructions.”
He cautioned that name-dropping and factionalism, particularly involving the names of President Bola Tinubu and former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege, have been deepening divisions throughout the celebration.
“Some individuals are dropping the names of the President and the previous Deputy Senate President to say management of the celebration. That is unhealthy for a political household that wishes to win in 2027,” Ofobruku stated.
The previous lawmaker dismissed claims that Senator Omo-Agege was behind the present turmoil, describing him as a peace-loving chief who labored tirelessly to construct the celebration.
“The previous Deputy Senate President by no means requested anybody to ferment bother. He welcomed the governor into the APC. Individuals are solely utilizing his title to justify their actions,” he stated.
Ofobruku additionally faulted the state management of the APC for failing to handle the combination of the brand new members, accusing it of taking sides and endorsing unlawful suspensions with out listening to from affected events.
“The management of the celebration on the state stage has didn’t combine the brand new entrants with previous members correctly. They need to be those making a bridge, not widening the divide,” he stated.
He alleged that a few of the crises have been politically motivated by people with ambitions for 2027, citing conferences allegedly convened within the houses of high APC figures, equivalent to Olorogun Otega Emerhor, which resulted within the purported elimination of native authorities chairmen.
“It’s flawed for anybody to make use of his residence as a venue for such illegality. A few of these leaders are doing it to achieve political benefit forward of 2027,” he added.
The APC chief referred to as for calm, dialogue, and inner reconciliation throughout the celebration, urging that each one disputes be settled amicably and that these concerned in forgery or unlawful suspension of celebration officers be sanctioned.
“We should not enable politics to divide us. After the elections, we’ll nonetheless dwell collectively as brothers and sisters. Let’s resolve these points now earlier than Congress. The defectors have made 2027 simpler for us, however provided that we work collectively,” Ofobruku appealed.
He additionally steered that former Governor James Ibori, whom he described as “the political father of all Delta leaders,” might assist mediate the disaster.
“Chief Ibori is aware of everybody, from the present governor to former governors and lawmakers. He may also help us reconcile as a result of all of us got here from his political college of thought,” he stated.
Ofobruku concluded by reaffirming his dedication to unity throughout the APC, urging members in any respect ranges to prioritise dialogue, equity and mutual respect over private ambition.
“There is just one APC in Delta State. Those that have joined us should perceive that they’ve entered a celebration that already has a construction and management. The earlier we settle for that actuality and work collectively, the stronger we might be going into 2027,” he acknowledged.
