The National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress has disclaimed the setting of a “Leadership Council” for the party in Delta State.
In a press release issued on Tuesday, Felix Morka, National Publicity Secretary of the party, disowned the council.
“The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of our great Party has been drawn to reports circulating in sections of the media regarding the inauguration of the Delta State All Progressives Congress (APC) Leadership Council ‘approved by the National Leadership of our great Party.’
“This is to clarify that the NWC did not grant approval for the inauguration or operation of the “Leadership Council” in the Delta State Chapter of our Party, as claimed by reports.
“The said “Leadership Council” is not a body created or recognized under the Party’s Constitution which clearly spells out the statutory organs, structures and committees of the Party, and their respective powers and functions.
The “Leadership Council” is not one of such constitutional organs, adhoc – structures or committees of the Party”, Morka stated.
In an earlier press release, Valentine Onojeghuo, State Publicity Secretary of APC Delta State, claimed that the ‘national leadership” of APC has approved the “inauguration of the Delta APC Leadership Council under the co-chairmanship of Festus Keyamo, SAN and Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.
The leadership council was slated for inauguration on March 8, 2025, according to Onojeghuo.
This effectively puts paid to the controversial move to set up a parallel collegiate arrangement in the running of Delta APC.
Meanwhile, the leader of APC in Delta State, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi among other top leaders have dissociated themselves from the purported parallel “College of Leaders.
They stated in a statement that:
“We, the undersigned, are shocked and outraged to discover our names inexplicably linked to a purported Delta APC Leadership Council in a Notice of Inauguration signed by Valentine Onojeghuo, which is currently in circulation.
“We categorically and unequivocally deny any involvement, association, or knowledge of this council, and we condemn in the strongest terms the blatant and egregious attempt to falsely affiliate us with this illegitimate and unconstitutional entity.
“The creation of this council is a flagrant and reprehensible affront to the constitution of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the principles of democracy. Its establishment is a brazen and unauthorized act that contravenes the party’s constitution and the laws of Nigeria.
“The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has clarified that it did not grant approval for the inauguration or operation of this council, contrary to their claims.
“Furthermore, we do not support the proposal that the College of Leaders should nominate party executives and select party candidates.
“This proposal contradicts our party’s constitution, which grants the power to elect party executives and nominate candidates solely to registered members.
“Our party’s constitution and extant laws clearly outline the democratic process for electing party executives and candidates, leaving no room for the College of Leaders to usurp this power.
“We therefore strongly object to our names being surreptitiously included in this document without our knowledge, consent, or participation.
“This is a clear and blatant violation of our rights, and an attempt to maliciously drag us into an illegal and unconstitutional venture. We will not allow our names to used to legitimize this sham contraption.
“We uphold the sanctity of the APC constitution, which emphasizes the supremacy of the party constitution for effective governance and promoting its ideals.
“We recognize and support all the organs established by the constitution for our State. These organs are the legitimate and constitutional bodies that govern the affairs of the party.
“While the creators of this contraption have the right to establish their own structures or pressure groups to advance their interests, they have no right to include our names without our consent. We will not participate in or support their illegitimate and unconstitutional activities.
“We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its constitution. We will continue to work tirelessly to promote the party’s interests, unity, and values.
“However, we will not recognize or subscribe to any non-constitutional organ, regardless of its name or claims.
“We demand that our names be immediately and unconditionally excluded from any documents or publications related to this council.
“We also demand that the creators cease and desist from using our names to lend legitimacy to their illegal venture.
“We urge all party members and stakeholders to reject this illegitimate council and its unconstitutional proposals.
“We must stand together to protect our party’s democratic foundations and uphold the rule of law”.
The statement was was signed by:
1. Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Deputy President of the 9th Senate, Delta State APC Leader and 2023 Governorship Candidate
2. Senator Peter Nwaoboshi
3. Bar. Francis Obigbor, State Deputy Chairman
4. Dr. Peter Akarogbe, State Secretary
5. Rt Hon Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, Member, House of Representatives (Ethiope Federal Constituency)
6. Hon. Temi Harriman, former Member, House of Representatives
7. Hon Almona Insei, former member, House of Representatives.
8. Hon Daniel Reyenieju, former Member House of Representatives
9. Prophet Jones Ode Erue, former Delta State APC Chairman
10. Rt. Hon. Olisa Imegwu, former Speaker, DSHA
11. Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya, former Speaker, DSHA
12. Hon. Friday Osanebi, former Deputy Speaker, DSHA and 2023 Deputy Governorship Candidate
13. Chief Ayiri Emami, Leader, Warri South West
14. Dr. (Mrs) Ngozi Olejeme, Leader, Oshimili South
15. Comrade Ovuozuorie Macaulay, former Secretary to the State Government, Delta State
16. Hon. Barr Edafe Emakpor, Minority Leader, DSHA
17. Hon. Julius Okpoko, former Minority Leader, DSHA
18. Mr. Austin Oriboye, Vice Chairman, Delta South Senatorial District
19. S.K.Palama, Leader, Udu LGA
