A fresh leadership crisis has erupted in the Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the State Deputy Chairman, Chief Francis Obigbor, Esq., has assumed the Acting Chairman of the party, following the absence of the party chairman who is on medical vacation.
This development comes barely 24 hours after the State Working Committee (SWC) announced Chief Paulinus Akpeki as the Acting State Chairman of the APC, citing the medical vacation of the substantive chairman, Elder Omeni Sobotie.
Reacting swiftly, Chief Francis Obigbor described the SWC’s decision as a gross violation of Article 14.2 (iii) of the APC Constitution, declaring the appointment null and void.
In a statement titled; “Leadership Update: I Assume Duty as Acting Chairman of Delta APC,” Chief Obigbor explained his position:
"My attention has been drawn to a statement issued by Valentine Onojeghuo, Esq., the State Publicity Secretary of APC Delta State, on November 29, 2024. The statement purportedly confirms the appointment of Chief Paulinus Akpeki as Acting State Chairman of the Party, instead of Elder Omeni Sobotie, who is currently on medical vacation. However, Chief Akpeki is, and remains, the Vice Chairman of the Party in Delta Central Senatorial District.
"As the duly elected Deputy Chairman of the Delta State chapter of the APC, I have assumed duty as the Acting Chairman of the party, in accordance with Article 14.2 (iii) of the APC Constitution. This article stipulates the order of succession and designates the Deputy State Chairman as the rightful officer to act in the Chairman's absence.
"I urge all party members and the general public to disregard the statement confirming Chief Akpeki's appointment. It was issued without lawful authority and flagrantly violates the Party's Constitution."
In a related development, a political pressure group known as the New Delta Coalition (NDC) has expressed support for Chief Francis Obigbor, urging party leaders and members to rally behind him.
In a statement signed by its convener, Mr. Godwin Anaughe, the group emphasized:
"As the Deputy Chairman, Chief Obigbor is the constitutionally recognized officer to assume the role of Acting Chairman in the absence of the substantive Chairman, Elder Omeni Sobotie, in line with Article 14.2 (iii) of the APC Constitution, which outlines the order of succession.
"Additionally, Article 12.8 of the constitution clearly states that the Deputy Chairman holds the second position in the party hierarchy, while Vice Chairmen occupy the fifth position.
"The appointment of Chief Paulinus Akpeki as Acting Chairman constitutes a blatant disregard for the APC's constitution and sets a dangerous precedent that cannot stand.
"We call on all party members to recognize Chief Francis Obigbor as the legitimate Acting Chairman and urge the National Leadership to address this breach of the constitution. The Delta State chapter must adhere strictly to the party's constitutional framework."
