Address our marginalization now or face consequences in 2027 – Delta Ijaw APC

Delta Ijaw members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have lamented their marginalization within the party despite their significant contributions to its successes, with an ultimatum to the party demanding an address to their concerns or face consequences in the 2027 elections.

The ultimatum, authored by Rt. Hon. Emibra E. Agbeotu and endorsed by 65 representatives of Delta Ijaws in APC, was unreserved in its critique of the party’s treatment of Ijaw members.

The comprehensive document was formally presented to the Elder Godsday Orubebe-led sub-committee of the Delta APC reconciliation committee.

According to the statement, “We are persistently faced with unprovoked and unprecedented non-inclusion and marginalization from successive administrations of our party, APC, and the APC-led federal governments from 2014 to date.

“The Delta Ijaws control 41 of the 65 wards in the Delta South Senatorial District of Delta State. This represents approximately 67% of the voting strength and victory-determining votes in the senatorial district. Our dear party, APC, has systematically sidelined us through brazen neglect and outright disregard of our people and essential votes.

“In the recent general elections, Elder Godsday Orubebe, CON, DG of the Delta Campaign Council, successfully mobilised Deltans via his team. In fact, we sacrificed time, energy, and resources with him and pulled over 56% of the votes that had been swaying victory for the PDP at the polls in Delta State,” they claim.

However, they lament that “No Delta Ijaw APC member has been appointed or patronised by our APC-led federal government. Instead, non-APC members and non-Ijaws are given appointments at our expense and to our ridicule.”

“If this anomaly is not corrected, it will deepen apathy within our ranks and entrench a bleak future for APC in the 2027 general elections,” they caution, directly tying their grievances to the party’s future electoral prospects.

“Given our growing strength and unique potential to deliver essential votes that determine victory at the polls, we demand that the position of Delta State APC Chairman be zoned to us, Delta Ijaws in APC,” the document states.

The ultimatum extends beyond just appointments, touching on internal party processes as well, adding, “We are grossly and persistently excluded from participating in the election of credible and committed party officials and party delegates for our units, wards, and LGAs,” they argue, suggesting that this exclusion “births resentment, acrimony, and division within our ranks and negatively affects the planning, management, and administration of our party affairs.”

“We call on our dear President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Dr. Umar Ganduje, National Chairman of APC, for quick inclusion, partnership, patronage, and empowerment to foster unity, oneness of purpose, and victory for APC at the polls in Delta State,” they pleaded.