The simmering leadership crisis within the Delta North chapter of the APC has boiled over, following a controversial endorsement — and swift counter-endorsement — of Senator Ned Nwoko’s return bid to the National Assembly, writes MATTHEW OCHEI
The crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress, APC, Delta North senatorial district has taken a new dimension following the recent endorsement and counter-endorsement of Senator Ned Nwoko.
Nwoko, representing the Delta North senatorial district at the upper chamber of the National Assembly, was on Saturday, June 14, 2025, endorsed by the Forum of Local Government and Ward Chairmen of the All Progressives Congress from the nine local governments of the Delta North district. It was gathered that the Delta North APC senatorial Chairman, Chief Adizue Eluaka, was present at that meeting.
At a well-attended APC stakeholders’ meeting at Senator Nwoko’s country home in Idumuje-Ugboko in Aniocha North Local Government Area, a vote of confidence was unanimously passed on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori and Senator Ned Nwoko by party stakeholders, leaders and members loyal in attendance.
However, some leaders of Delta North APC loyal to the immediate past governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, disowned the endorsement and subsequently threatened the forum for the action. Indeed, three days after the endorsement, the forum was allegedly threatened to withdraw the aforementioned endorsement.
As loyal party faithful, some members of the forum quickly distanced themselves from the endorsement of Senator Nwoko for a second term.
Nevertheless, a joint statement signed by seven of the nine council chairmen, including Messrs Nobert Akachukwu Sochukwudinma (Aniocha South), Hilary Fada Ibude (Ika South), Austin Nnabuife (Oshimili North), Dada Okolo (Oshimili South), Oputa Knis (Ndokwa East), Dike Onah (Ndokwa West), and Churchill Ugoena Edem (Ukwuani), the forum reaffirmed support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election and Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
They urged party members and the public to disregard any claim of Nwoko’s endorsement, stating that such action, whether by ward chairmen or at the Delta North APC stakeholders meeting, was not approved by the local government structures and stakeholders.
“As a party that upholds internal democracy, anyone seeking elective office must build the party and prepare for credible primaries”, the statement said.
The chairmen also called on Deputy Governor Monday Onyeme, who they claimed is the highest-ranking political office holder from Delta North, to take the lead in unifying the party and guiding it towards success in the 2027 elections.
“APC Delta North remains focused, disciplined, and committed to victory in all elections,” they concluded.
As the endorsement of the senator for a second term in office sparked sharp division within the All Progressives Congress in the district, party leaders in Aniocha North, Nwoko’s home base, reaffirmed their support, while the senatorial leadership moved to disown the endorsement.
However, the gathering, attended by key figures, including the Delta North APC Chairman, Chief Adizue Eluaka, was hailed by supporters as a show of strength and unity.
The development quickly turned controversial. Within days, pressure from unnamed party stakeholders reportedly forced Eluaka to dissociate from the endorsement, leading to the abrupt dissolution of the forum that championed Nwoko’s return bid.
Eluaka described the group as an “unauthorised and unconstitutional body,” claiming the move was to restore order and discipline within party ranks.The dissolution, which was contained in a statement by the senatorial chairman of the party, Chief Adizue Eluaka, released on Thursday, cancelled the endorsement. Eluaka said that the dissolution of the forum was to restore order and reinforce discipline within party ranks.
Eluaka said that the APC in the zone would not sit and watch a few sponsored individuals cause disunity and disaffection in the party.
“We will not sit and watch a few disgruntled, sponsored individuals under the guise of a forum that is unknown to our constitution, cause disunity and disaffection in our party.
“The APC is a window of opportunity for growth, and these actions are self-serving,” he said.
The Delta North APC chairman added that going forward, all party dealings would be handled with LGA and ward chairmen on an individual basis, with no recognition of collective bodies not sanctioned by the party’s constitution.
“Any meeting convened by these dissolved bodies, or by any group unknown to the party structure, will be deemed illegal and appropriate disciplinary actions will be taken,” he warned.
In defiance, APC leaders and executives in Aniocha North doubled down on their endorsement of Nwoko, accusing detractors of political mischief and external influence.
In a statement jointly signed by the party’s executives and elders, the party reaffirmed its “unalloyed support” for Nwoko’s return to the Red Chamber, citing his visible achievements and people-oriented approach to governance.
The APC leaders also commended the Aniocha North APC Chairman, Mr Matthew Chinye, for dissociating himself from a recent move by some party chairmen in Delta North who attempted to challenge Nwoko’s endorsement.
“We commend our chairman for standing on the side of truth and the will of the people.
“His principled stand against the misguided opposition within the party underscores his commitment to credible leadership,” the statement added.
Before the meeting, the Deputy Governor, Monday Onyeme, who is the APC leader in Delta North senatorial district, according to party constitution, had queried the rationale behind fixing the APC meeting in Senator Nwoko’s house.
Though there have been leadership tussles between Ifeanyi Okowa/ Monday Onyeme and Nwoko right from the PDP to the APC, Nwoko had earlier expressed profound appreciation to APC stakeholders and the people of Delta North Senatorial District for endorsing him for a second term alongside President Bola Tinubu and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
Nwoko, in a statement, commended his constituents for endorsing him and Governor Oborevwori.
Reacting to the counter-endorsement, Nwoko said over 7,000 party faithful attended the stakeholders’ meeting with all the leaders, including the state chairman, the senatorial chairman and all state working committee in attendance.
“The event was the Delta North APC stakeholders’ monthly meeting. Over 7000 party faithfuls attended with all the leaders, including the state chairman, the senatorial chairman and all state working committee members from Delta North, all 9 local government chairmen and their executives, the ward chairmen and their executives, party elders, a House of Representatives member, me and a host of others.
“Motion was moved and adopted for a vote of confidence for Mr President, the governor and me. It was a complete yes when put to a voice vote.
“These three recalcitrant local government chairmen were there and didn’t object. The document they signed was without consulting their local government executives.
“They were paid to sign a useless document. They are not in any position to challenge the endorsement,” he explained.
A Social analyst in Delta North, Mr Azubuike Okoro, told The PUNCH that the ongoing battle of leadership will bring some defectors back to the PDP.
“What you see playing out now, especially in the senatorial district, is about the 2027 general election.
“You know that before the meeting that was held at Nwoko’s house, there was a problem among the leaders, and that is the reason why some key leaders, especially those who defected from PDP to APC recently, were not in attendance.
“And these are the leaders controlling the party structure in the state. You are also aware that this is one of the reasons why Nwoko left PDP in January, because he had seen the handwriting on the wall that this set of leaders would not give him a chance to return to the National Assembly a second time.
“And now these leaders have defected and joined him in the APC, the same thing will play out, they are on a mission.
“So, I’m not surprised by this recent endorsement and counter-endorsement. The same APC chairmen, who were at the meeting at Idumuje-Ugboko, returned and dissolved the forum that endorsed Nwoko and went ahead to carry a full-page advert in the daily.
“I am not a party person, so I wouldn’t know what the party constitution says on the leadership at the state level, senatorial district and local government level. If we have the immediate past governor from the district, and a serving deputy governor, I think respect should be accorded to them as to where and who to host a party meeting,” he explained.
He urged Senator Nwoko to read the handwriting of the political masters who do not want him to return to the senate, stressing that Nwoko was not the only one endorsed at that meeting.
An APC chieftain, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the crisis in the Delta North APC was caused by the politicians who joined the party recently.
“My brother, what you are seeing now in our party is orchestrated by these leaders who recently joined our party.
“They have brought that PDP system into our party and have hijacked the party. So, who they want will go for the position. Impunity is the order of the day in our party. I pray God will deliver us”
The people of the district are on the lookout as the intrigues continue. Who will bell the cat?
PUNCH.
