A political storm is brewing in Delta State as a controversial $50,000 donation, intended as a symbolic “kola nut wedge” to foster unity in the All Progressives Congress (APC), has reportedly thrown the party into disarray.

The enlarged APC meeting, held on Friday in Oleh, headquarters of Isoko South Local Government Area, was meant to solidify the party’s internal cohesion ahead of the 2027 general elections. However, the event was overshadowed by allegations of misappropriation of funds, leaving party members angered and disillusioned.

As murmurs of dissent continue to spread across the senatorial district, party insiders warn that the scandal, if not swiftly addressed, could damage APC’s cohesion and credibility ahead of the next electoral cycle.

The Guardian reliably gathered that the crisis began when donations totaling over $50,000—contributed by key stakeholders—were allegedly hijacked by some members of the party leadership. Chief Matthew Tonlagha, an Ijaw businessman and chairman of Maton Engineering, reportedly donated $30,000, with additional contributions of $10,000, $5,000, $4,000, and $2,000 coming from other party financiers. In addition to the foreign currency donations, more than N200 million was raised in naira.

According to multiple party insiders, the funds, earmarked as a symbolic gesture to “wedge the kola nut”—a traditional act signifying peace and goodwill—were not distributed equitably. Instead, they allege the money was cornered by a clique of APC leaders, in collaboration with former members of the defunct Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) state executive from the senatorial district.

One former APC aspirant, who attended the meeting and spoke on condition of anonymity, described the situation as “broad daylight stealing.”

“They hijacked the over $50,000 kola nut money that everybody was supposed to share from. Out of over N200 million raised, only N72 million was reportedly shared—just N9 million per local government area across the eight LGAs. Where did the rest go?”, the source lamented.

Another party chieftain and former member of the Delta State House of Assembly, who also requested anonymity, described the incident as “shameful.”

“Nigerian politicians can never learn. They can kill for dollars. The dollars were allegedly shared among the APC leadership and former PDP state executives from the district,” he alleged.

The meeting, presided over by Delta State APC chairman, Omeni Sobotie, saw attendance from high-profile figures including Delta South Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, former Senator James Manager, and various appointees from both state and federal levels.

When contacted, APC State Chairman Omeni Sobotie, neither confirmed nor denied the allegation but simply said: “I’m not aware”. (The Guardian)