Chief Adviser to the Governor of Delta State, Senator Ighoyota Amori, has declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State is more united, stronger and better prepared for future electoral contests following the successful conclusion of the party’s recent primary elections.
Amori made the declaration on Wednesday in Asaba while receiving the management and staff of The Pointer Newspaper, led by the Editor In-Chief; Mrs. Edna Emeni, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office.
Speaking extensively on developments within the APC, the former senator dismissed suggestions that the party was fractured by internal divisions, insisting that what some observers described as factions were merely disagreements common to every vibrant political organization.
According to him, disagreements should not be mistaken for disunity, noting that politics naturally accommodates varying opinions and interests.
“If there is a political party where people do not disagree, then something is wrong. People must disagree before they agree. Politics is about ventilating opinions, managing differences and ultimately arriving at a common position,” he said.
The veteran politician credited Governor Sheriff Oborevwori with fostering reconciliation among party leaders and stakeholders, stressing that all major interests within the APC had now reunited under one umbrella.
He recalled that leaders from different tendencies within the party recently came together in a demonstration of unity and commitment to the party’s future.
“Today, everybody is together. What matters is that the leaders who had disagreements before are working together again. The party is peaceful and stronger,” he stated.
Amori, who has played prominent roles in Delta State politics since 1999, described the recent APC primaries as one of the most peaceful and successful exercises conducted in recent years.
Drawing from his decades of political experience, he noted that previous primaries often resulted in prolonged litigation and internal disputes that weakened parties ahead of elections.
This time, however, he said the APC adopted a combination of consensus and direct primary methods, producing outcomes that have largely been accepted across the board.
“The true test of a successful primary is what happens afterwards. In the past, after primaries, people went to court and challenged outcomes. Today, we do not have that situation. That tells us that the process was largely successful,” he said.
On allegations by the current Delta North Senator, Barr. Ned Nwoko, that he was promised an automatic ticket upon joining the APC, Amori maintained that any such assurance could not have come from the current leadership of the party in Delta State.
While describing Nwoko as a personal friend whom he had supported politically over the years, the Chief Adviser argued that politics remains dynamic and no political promise can be considered absolute in a constantly changing environment.
“If anybody promised him an automatic ticket at the time he joined the party, that promise was not made by the current leadership. Whoever made such a promise should be the one to explain it,” he said.
Amori further contended that participation in democratic contests remained essential, insisting that no aspirant should rely solely on assurances from individuals when party processes are involved.
He also dismissed criticisms surrounding the integration of new entrants into the APC, arguing that every registered party member enjoys equal rights and privileges regardless of when they joined.
The former senator observed that party migration has become a recurring feature of Nigerian politics, noting that many politicians criticizing recent defections had themselves moved between political parties at different points in their careers.
“Politics is dynamic. Once you register and become a member of a party, you are entitled to the same rights and privileges as every other member. Many of those making complaints today have also changed political parties before,” he said.
Commenting on the growing realignments ahead of the 2027 elections, Amori expressed confidence that the APC would remain competitive despite the movement of some political figures to other platforms.
Rather than viewing such developments as threats, he described them as part of the democratic process.
He maintained that political competition was healthy and necessary, adding that strong opposition helps parties evaluate their strength and effectiveness.
“We welcome people with electoral value. Politics is about contesting and testing your popularity. We do not want a situation where there is no challenge. Competition makes democracy stronger,” he said.
On the long-standing debate over whether voters should choose candidates based on political parties or individual personalities, the APC chieftain argued that both factors influence electoral decisions.
According to him, political realities show that voters often combine party loyalty with personal assessment of candidates before making their choices.
“Some people vote for individuals while others vote for parties. The truth is that people usually choose whatever they believe serves their interests best at a particular time,” he explained.
Reflecting on his appointment as Chief Adviser to Governor Oborevwori, Amori said the position was a natural progression of a political career spanning more than three decades.
He recounted his service under successive administrations in Delta State, including those of former Governors James Ibori, Emmanuel Uduaghanand Ifeanyi Okowa, as well as his experience at the National Assembly.
The former senator said the office of the Chief Adviser exists to deploy such experience in support of government, policy formulation and political strategy.
Having served at the executive, legislative and party levels, he expressed confidence that his background places him in a position to provide valuable guidance to the administration.
“The Governor considered my experience and found me worthy to serve as Chief Adviser. Having served in different capacities over the years, my duty is to offer advice that will contribute to the success of government and the development of Delta State,” he said.
