Delta Deputy Gov Aide Post Sparks Leadership Tussle in Delta North APC
ASABA/Nigeria: The political atmosphere in Delta North Senatorial District intensified on Sunday following a controversial Facebook post by Fidelis Egugbo, Press Secretary to Delta State Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme. Egugbo’s remarks questioned the structure of political coordination within the All Progressives Congress (APC) and proposed that the Deputy Governor assume a unifying role in the party, particularly ahead of a scheduled APC meeting on June 14 at Senator Ned Nwoko’s residence in Idumuje-Ugboko.
In his post, Egugbo referenced historical precedents during the PDP era, asserting that former Deputy Governors like Chief Benjamin Elue and Prof. Amos Utuama hosted Delta North meetings under past administrations. He suggested Onyeme replicate this model to forestall political factionalism. The post, however, sparked heated debate, with many viewing it as a premature claim to leadership in the APC, especially given Onyeme’s recent defection from the PDP and the unclear status of his integration into the APC hierarchy.
APC stakeholders swiftly pushed back. Dr. Michael Nwoko, Chief of Staff to Senator Ned Nwoko, clarified that the meeting is part of a bi-monthly rotational schedule agreed upon by the Delta North APC leadership. He stressed that the upcoming gathering follows similar meetings in Agbor and Kwale, dismissing Egugbo’s claims as misleading and divisive. Nwoko warned that such comments could threaten party unity ahead of critical political contests.
Echoing similar sentiments, APC stalwarts like Eze Onwenna and Barth Ozah criticized Egugbo’s alignment with PDP-era structures, arguing that the APC has distinct internal processes. Ozah noted that Onyeme had never hosted such meetings even while in the PDP, questioning the rationale for suddenly projecting him as a regional APC leader. Others, including Ozuem Paul Ifeanyi, urged the Deputy Governor to focus on development efforts in the Ndokwa Nation rather than chasing political relevance.
The debate also reignited scrutiny over Onyeme’s loyalty and official status in the APC. Emmanuel Okonne queried whether Onyeme had formally resigned from the PDP, while Chief Emma Ejiofor warned against “political conquest through state resources,” asserting that leadership within the APC must be earned, not assumed. The pushback underscored concerns that government officeholders new to the party were attempting to assert influence without due process.
This unfolding drama points to deeper shifts in Delta North’s political realignment. While Egugbo’s call may have been intended to promote unity, his approach has stirred resistance among core APC members. The controversy reveals the challenges facing the APC in integrating recent defectors while maintaining internal cohesion. As the party moves forward, many insist that credibility must be built through service, structure, and stakeholder engagement—not through echoes of past party traditions.
