Pioneer APC Members In Delta Cry Out Over Marginalisation
PIONEER APC MEMBERS DEMAND EQUITY AND INCLUSION IN DELTA
Growing Discontent Among Founding Members
PIONEER members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State have raised concerns over what they describe as their continued exclusion from governance and party decision-making structures following the mass defection of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into the APC in April 2025.
The grievances were articulated by the Delta North Coalition for Equity (DNCE), which appealed to the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to urgently address issues of equity and inclusion within the party.
Appeal Comes Amid Internal Party Discussions
The appeal follows recent remarks by former Deputy Senate President and 2023 APC governorship candidate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, who had urged party leaders at a stakeholders’ meeting in Asaba to ensure that loyal party members were integrated into governance to strengthen the party’s electoral prospects.
DNCE stakeholders met in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area, where they expressed concern that pioneer members who laboured to establish the APC in Delta State were being sidelined in appointments and key party processes.
Call for Recognition and Fairness
Speaking at the meeting, the Convener of the coalition, Chief Alex Ikpeazu, stressed that sustainable governance and party cohesion depend on recognising long-standing members.
“We have been in the party for years without defecting and have not benefitted from the party we diligently formed. We do not want those who joined later to override us,” Ikpeazu said.
He called on the national leadership of the APC to develop a clear framework that would prioritise founding members in ward, local government, and state party leadership positions, warning that failure to do so could breed resentment and instability.
Zoning and Leadership Considerations
Ikpeazu also argued that equity demands that Delta North be allowed to produce the next APC state chairman, noting that Delta South and Delta Central had previously held the position.
“Once it is zoned to Delta North, we will harmonise and present our best candidate. This will help mend fences ahead of the 2027 elections,” he said.
Warnings Against Party Fragmentation
The Secretary of the coalition, Hon. Kemmer Enina, warned that marginalising pioneer members could weaken party unity and erode loyalty at the grassroots level.
Ambassador Kenneth Rafua, another coalition leader, said inclusion should be seen as a right rather than a privilege, noting that experienced party members possess institutional knowledge critical for governance and electoral success.
Commitment to Party and Government
Other speakers, including Ben LionHeart Williams, Chief Barr Williams Agholor, and High Chief Gabriel Ohai, recalled the sacrifices made by early APC members and urged party leaders to reintegrate them into governance structures.
Despite their grievances, the coalition reaffirmed its loyalty to the APC and pledged support for the re-election of Governor Oborevwori and President Bola Tinubu in 2027, expressing hope that their concerns would be addressed in the interest of unity and progress.
