The political landscape in Delta North Senatorial District became heated on Sunday following a controversial social media post by Fidelis Egugbo, Press Secretary to Delta State Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme. Egugbo’s comments reignited debate over the leadership and coordination of political meetings in the region, specifically targeting the upcoming All Progressives Congress (APC) gathering slated for June 14, 2025, at the residence of Senator Ned Nwoko in Idumuje-Ugboko.
In his post, Egugbo referenced past precedents, noting that under previous administrations, such as during Chief James Ibori’s tenure, when Chief Benjamin Elue hosted Delta North meetings as Deputy Governor, and later under Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, when Prof. Amos Utuama did the same, the Deputy Governor traditionally played a central role in convening political meetings. He suggested that Sir Monday Onyeme should now assume a similar unifying role within the APC and proposed a private meeting with Senator Nwoko to prevent factionalism.
Egugbo’s remarks were widely interpreted as casting the upcoming APC meeting as premature or potentially divisive, given Onyeme’s recent defection to the party and his yet-to-be-formalised status within its leadership ranks.
Mixed Reactions and Pushback from APC Stakeholders
Egugbo’s post quickly drew significant attention on Facebook, eliciting strong and divided reactions. While some, particularly former PDP members, supported his call for Onyeme to assume leadership of the party in Delta North, others criticised it as misinformed and politically charged.
Dr. Michael Nwoko, Chief of Staff to Senator Ned Nwoko, expressed surprise at Egugbo’s claims. He clarified that the June 14 meeting is part of a longstanding bi-monthly rotation of Delta North APC meetings, with hosting duties alternating among the region’s three federal constituencies: Ika, Ndokwa/Ukwuani, and Aniocha/Oshimili. According to him, prior meetings were hosted by Mrs. Doris Uboh in Agbor (February 22) for Ika federal constituency and Chief Johnson Opone hosted in Kwale (April 13) for Ndokwa/Ukwuani federal constituency. Thus, the upcoming Aniocha/Oshimili meeting billed for Senator Nwoko’s residence is a continuation of this rotation.
Dr. Nwoko accused Egugbo of misrepresenting facts and warned against sowing division, stressing the need for party unity to ensure future electoral success.
Other prominent APC voices echoed this stance. Eze Onwenna emphasised that Senator Nwoko was not unilaterally calling the meeting and that the rotational schedule was established by the Delta North APC Chairman, Adizue Eluaka. He urged Egugbo to seek clarity before making public statements that could mislead or divide.
Barth Ozah, a former Ndokwa West councillor, questioned the validity of Egugbo’s comparisons to past PDP practices, pointing out that Onyeme, even while in the PDP, never hosted such meetings. This, he implied, weakens the argument for replicating PDP traditions within APC structures.
Shifting the conversation, Ozuem Paul Ifeanyi urged Onyeme to focus on delivering tangible development to the Ndokwa Nation rather than vying for political influence prematurely.
Debates on Party Loyalty and Recognition
A key issue in the controversy is Onyeme’s current status within the APC. Emmanuel Okonne questioned whether the Deputy Governor had formally resigned from the PDP, while Emmanuel Eboh wondered why Onyeme was now being positioned as a Delta North APC leader, especially when he played no role in past meetings hosted by then-PDP leaders like Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.
Egbonimali Shedrack and Chief Emma Ejiofor pushed back strongly against any presumption of leadership by Onyeme or his allies. Ejiofor warned against what he termed “political conquest through state resources,” arguing that leadership within the APC must be earned through service and consensus, not merely claimed through office.
Calls for De-escalation and Procedural Clarity
Several stakeholders, including King Ojuwa and Emma Eboh, emphasised that the upcoming meeting was planned well in advance and announced during the previous session in Kwale. They insisted that the event should not be politicised or seen as a power play.
Eboh also noted that senatorial meetings are typically organised by the party’s senatorial chairman, not necessarily by prominent figures like senators or deputy governors, underscoring the importance of adhering to internal party structures.
Underlying Power Shifts in Delta North Politics
This dispute reveals deeper tensions in Delta North’s political realignment, especially in the wake of key defections. Egugbo’s post, while ostensibly calling for unity, has been widely seen as an attempt to position Onyeme as a central APC figure, potentially ahead of the party’s acceptance or due process.
The strong rebuttals from core APC members like Dr. Nwoko, Eze Onwenna, Emma Eboh and Emma Ejiofor reflect a broader resistance to perceived intrusions into party structure by newcomers. The prevailing sentiment among APC loyalists is that leadership must align with established protocols, not be driven by government office or legacies from other parties.
Egugbo’s appeal to replicate PDP-era structures within the APC overlooks critical procedural and cultural differences between the two parties. While his intentions may be rooted in unity, the approach, lacking broad consultation, has, instead, highlighted growing pains in APC’s efforts to integrate high-profile defectors.
As the region adjusts to new political realities, it is essential for figures to build credibility within the APC through engagement and collaboration.
