The African Democratic Party (ADC) in Delta State is facing a major challenge as the rivalry between opposing interest groups in the state chapter of the party has begun tothreaten to tear apart the veneer of unity.

At a press conference in Asaba, the stakeholders said they were alerting the world to an attempt by certain individuals with narrow interest to hijack the recent consensus process that produced a transitory state leadership.

They said although they have mounted pressure on the national leadership of the ADC to make a formal recognition of the State Executive Committee led by James Oghenero Akporero, based on unanimously adopted format by the four tendency groups or blocs that make up the state party, they had to reassure Deltans and Nigerians through a media update.

Specifically, they stressed that although the party’s various blocs unanimously backed Akporero following a transparent and mutually agreed process at a recent high-level stakeholders meeting and congress, and was duly endorsed by the blocs’ representatives, some individuals believed to have defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC), allegedly sneaked a completely new list to the national leadership in Abuja.

Among stakeholders at the press conference held in Asaba to update members of the public on the issue confronting the ADC in Delta State were two octogenarians, including Elder Delly Ajufor and Diokpa Christopher Biose popularly called Father of Obidients Movement in Delta; Comrade Preye Perenene, Assistant Publicity Secretary; Comrade Okpara Okwusi John; Emerure Favour; James Akponero and Lady Ejidoh Chinwe, a Delta North APC women leader.

They stressed that their demand was simple: that the national leadership of the ADC should halt the clandestine move of to impose a parallel leadership structure on the party in thestate by promptly rejecting a new but allegedly falsified list before it, including a purported executive body led by George Timinimi.

Speaking on behalf of stakeholders, Dr Charles Chinye Okoba dismissed claims of irregularities in the congresses that produced the Akporero-led executive committee, noting 12 persons made up of three persons each from the four recognized blocs decided the composition of the body.

Youths Ask Okowa to Forgo Senate Bid

Meanwhile, a group drawn from communities across the Delta North Senatorial District under the canopy of the Coalition of Delta North Youths (CDNY), has called on the immediate past governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, to rescind his decision to run for the Senate seat in 2027.

Addressing newsmen in Agbor, the administrative headquarters of Ika South Local Government Area, where Okowa had cut his political teeth decades ago, the group stated that Okowa should give younger persons from the district unfettered opportunity to grow politically and in effective leadership.

It noted that the fact that representation in the coalition cut across communities in the nine local government areas comprising Delta North or Anioma Nation spoke volume about the seriousness of the youths to have a voice and choice in the affairs of the senatorial district without any imperial force breathing down their neck.

“This spread reflect growing concerns among youths over political representation vis-á-vis accountability and inclusiveness in leadership and public matters,” the group said.

The group vowed to resist attempts by the ruling political party or any other party to field Okowa as its senatorial candidate in 2027, alleging that he had previously manipulated and monopolised political power. (THISDAY)

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