The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Delta State is grappling with an escalating internal crisis as rival factions within the party intensify a struggle for control, raising fears that the dispute could undermine its fragile unity.
At a press conference in Asaba, party stakeholders raised alarm over what they described as attempts by certain individuals with “narrow interests” to hijack a consensus arrangement that produced a transitional state leadership.
The stakeholders said they had already been engaging the national leadership of the ADC to secure formal recognition for the State Executive Committee led by James Oghenero Akporero.
They insisted that the leadership emerged from a consensus process agreed upon by four major tendency groups or blocs within the state chapter.
According to them, the structure was endorsed unanimously at a recent high-level stakeholders’ meeting and congress, with representatives of all blocs participating in the process.
However, they alleged that some individuals reportedly defectors from the All Progressives Congress (APC), had submitted a separate list to the party’s national leadership in Abuja, which they claim was not authorised by the agreed consensus.
The stakeholders warned that such actions could create parallel leadership structures and destabilise the party in the state.
They called on the national leadership to reject what they described as a “clandestine” attempt to impose an alternative executive list allegedly led by George Timinimi.
Among those present at the briefing were Elder Delly Ajufor and Diokpa Christopher Biose, popularly known as a key figure in the Obidient Movement in Delta, alongside party officials including Comrade Preye Perenene, Comrade Okpara Okwusi John, Emerure Favour, James Akponero, and Lady Ejidoh Chinwe, a former Delta North APC women leader.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Dr. Charles Chinye Okoba dismissed allegations of irregularities in the congress that produced the Akporero-led executive, insisting that the process was transparent and properly structured.
He explained that 12 representatives—three from each of the four recognised blocs participated in determining the composition of the executive committee.
In a separate development, the Coalition of Delta North Youths (CDNY) has urged former Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, to abandon his reported ambition to contest the 2027 Senate election.
Addressing journalists in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area, the group said Okowa should allow younger politicians in the Delta North Senatorial District an opportunity to emerge and contribute to leadership and governance.
The youths, whose membership reportedly spans communities across the nine local government areas of Delta North (Anioma Nation), said their position reflects growing concern over inclusiveness, political renewal, and accountability in representation.
They argued that leadership should not remain concentrated in the hands of a few individuals, stressing the need for generational transition in political offices.
“This spread reflects growing concerns among youths over political representation vis-à-vis accountability and inclusiveness in leadership and public matters,” the group said.
The coalition further vowed to resist any attempt by political parties to field Okowa as a senatorial candidate in 2027, accusing him of previously dominating and centralising political power in the district.
