A proposed solidarity walk in honour of former Deputy Senate President and ex-Delta Central senator, Ovie Omo-Agege, is reportedly causing deep divisions within the Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), SaharaReporters has learnt.
The march, organised by loyalists of Omo-Agege to express support for the former Senate leader, has stirred tensions among party stakeholders, revealing underlying rifts.
Party insiders disclosed that the event has reignited a long-standing cold war between the state APC chairman, Omeni Sobotie, and Omo-Agege’s camp.
Reacting to the development on Tuesday, the state APC leadership, through a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Valentine Onojeghuo, disassociated itself from the planned event and strongly condemned it, insisting the party was neither informed nor gave approval for the march.
The party said, “The attention of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Delta State, under the chairmanship of Elder Omeni Sobotie, has been drawn to a proposed event titled ‘Solidarity Walk in Support of DSP Ovie Omo-Agege,’ being organised by certain individuals under the guise of party loyalists.
“The party wishes to state categorically and unequivocally that no such event was ever sanctioned, approved, or endorsed by the leadership of the APC in Delta State.
“The planned solidarity walk, spearheaded by a group identifying themselves as a ‘Planning Committee,’ does not represent the views, interests, or directives of the Party and is therefore unauthorised.
“The group behind this planned event, led by Hon. Chief Emmanuel Adigwe and others, has taken it upon themselves to organise a political rally in the name of the party without the knowledge or endorsement of the party’s leadership. This act represents a clear breach of the internal regulatory frameworks that guide our operations as a responsible political party.
“While Delta APC acknowledges and appreciates the enthusiasm and support of members who wish to celebrate or honour key figures in the party- including distinguished leaders like DSP Ovie Omo-Agege it must be clearly stated that no individual or group has the right to organise or brand any activity as an official APC event without due consultation and express approval from the party leadership.
“It is also important to remind our members and the general public that like every responsible and law-abiding institution, Delta State APC operates within set of rules and regulations and any unauthorised use of the party’s name, logo, or platform for political mobilisation or public demonstrations is strictly prohibited, and any deviation from this rule will attract appropriate disciplinary measures.
“Accordingly, the party hereby directs the so-called ‘Planning Committee’ and its affiliated members to immediately suspend all activities, planning, mobilisation, or promotion associated with the said solidarity walk. Any further attempt to proceed with this unauthorised event will be interpreted as an act of open defiance against the party’s authority and shall be met with swift and severe disciplinary action.
“For the avoidance of doubt, any future political mobilisations, solidarity events, or public engagements in the name of the party must receive proper vetting and approval from the Delta State APC leadership.”
“We urge all members to align themselves with the directives and interests of the party and refrain from activities that could cause division or embarrassment to the collective. We call on the general public, especially party faithful across the 25 local government areas of Delta State, to disregard any invitation, flyer, social media promotion, or announcement relating to this unauthorised solidarity walk. It does not carry the imprimatur of the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Delta State,” the statement warned.
Call For Removal Of Publicity Secretary
In a swift response, the organisers of the solidarity walk demanded the immediate removal of the Delta State APC Publicity Secretary, Valentine Onojeghuo, and insisted that the march would proceed as planned despite the party leadership’s disapproval.
The organisers of the event who tagged themselves as ‘Concerned APC Progressives, Delta State Chapter’, said, “We have read with concern the press release issued by Valentine Onojeghuo, publicity secretary of APC, Delta State, denouncing a peaceful ‘Solidarity Walk’ in support of Distinguished Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.
“Let it be clearly stated: This statement is not only disappointing, it is a dangerous affront to the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens of Delta State and members of the APC. Freedom of expression and association is not a gift from the party.
“The Nigerian constitution guarantees every citizen the right to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, and association. The planned ‘Solidarity Walk’ falls fully within these rights. It is not a violent protest, not a campaign rally, and certainly not an act of insubordination.
“The publicity secretary has no moral standing to speak on unity, it is ironic, if not hypocritical that Valentine Onojeghuo Esq., who openly promotes the ‘M.O.R.E. Agenda,’ a partisan slogan associated with another aspirant, would seek to lecture others about loyalty and discipline. This raises a critical concern: How can a publicity secretary of a neutral party secretariat so openly show bias and then proceed to discredit those who do not align with his chosen camp?
“Is this not a desecration of the impartiality expected of the office he occupies? We therefore call for the immediate removal or suspension of Valentine Onojeghuo Esq. for misuse of his office; deliberate incitement against fellow party members, and for acting as an instrument of division in a time when unity is most needed.
“The party is not the property of a select few; it is a democratic institution built on the collective voice and strength of its members.”
The organisers said that to label a “peaceful and voluntary gathering as ‘unauthorised’ is not just intellectually dishonest, it is politically repressive, and beneath the standard of a truly progressive party”.
“Delta APC must rise above petty politics. We urge the Delta State APC leadership to rise above factional insecurities. Let it be known that no amount of intimidation will silence the voices of grateful supporters of our party’s heroes, past and present,” the organisers stated.
– Editor’s Note: The following report is sourced from SaharaReporters, with the exception of the headline, which was independently written or modified by our editorial team. All factual content, quotes, and attributions remain as reported by SaharaReporters.
