Politics
Delta APC SEC calls for suspension of chairman Omeni Sobotie
The State Executive Committee (SEC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Delta State Chapter has called for the suspension of the party chairman, Elder Omeni Sobotie.
This was contained in a letter signed by 81 members of the Delta State SEC and addressed to the National Chairman of the ruling party, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. The letter was also copied to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and members of the National Working Committee (NWC).
The SEC accused Sobotie of gross abuse of office and disregard for the party’s constitution, stating that they have lost confidence in his leadership.
“We have completely lost confidence in Sobotie’s leadership as state chairman, as he continues to act with impunity in blatant disregard of the party’s constitution. We strongly urge the National Working Committee (NWC) to take immediate disciplinary action by suspending Sobotie from his position as state chairman. This decisive measure is crucial to prevent further damage to the party’s reputation and integrity.
“By suspending Sobotie, the NWC can help mitigate the harm caused, restore the party’s vitality, integrity, and direction in the state, and ensure the APC Delta State chapter remains united and focused on its objectives. We respectfully request the NWC to exercise its authority and take prompt action to address this situation,” they said.
The SEC further criticized Sobotie’s leadership, calling it an “unmitigated disaster,” and accused him of failing to discharge his responsibilities.
“He has consistently proved incapable of discharging the functions of his office. He has been absent without explanation for prolonged periods, foisting a vacuum of leadership that has enabled impostors and unauthorized elements to undermine the party’s institutional integrity and effective functioning.”
Since assuming office, Sobotie has allegedly failed to convene SEC meetings and neglected regular meetings of the State Working Committee (SWC). The SEC accused him of operating in a dictatorial manner, usurping the authority of both the SEC and SWC while relying on proxies to execute party affairs.
The SEC also condemned Sobotie for calling for the removal of APC National Publicity Secretary, Barr. Felix Morka, stating that the petition dated March 17, 2025, was a unilateral decision made by Sobotie without the SEC’s approval.
The SEC described the petition as, “Grossly misconceived, petty, reckless, and without reasonable or justifiable basis.”
They further stated, “The petition shows that Sobotie lacks understanding of the limits of his authority as state chairman and the requisite constitutional process for the discipline of officers of the respective organs of the party, particularly the National Working Committee (NWC).”
“We categorically condemn and dissociate ourselves from the petition. The allegations are baseless and constitute a blatant attempt to silence a courageous voice in defense of the party and President Bola Tinubu’s administration. We fear that Sobotie has been commissioned by external political interests to undermine the effectiveness of the office of the NPS.
“We wish to express full faith and confidence in Barr. Morka’s leadership, service, and impeccable commitment to our party’s ideals. Morka has acted and continues to act with extreme decorum and professionalism in the discharge of the functions of his office.
“We urge the NWC to discountenance the petition as frivolous and reckless and dismiss it in its entirety. Sobotie’s actions are a clear violation of Section 21.2(v) of the party’s constitution, which explicitly prohibits members from providing false information to any party organ and engaging in unauthorized publicity of party disputes without exhausting all internal avenues for settlement or redress. This blatant disregard for party procedures and protocols is unacceptable and warrants immediate suspension.
“By releasing the petition to the public, Sobotie has not only violated the constitution but also undermined the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms. This behavior is unbecoming of a party leader and demonstrates a lack of commitment to upholding the party’s principles and procedures. We urge the party leadership to take immediate action to address this violation and ensure that Sobotie is held accountable for his actions.”
Also, the SEC accused Sobotie of fostering a close relationship with the Delta State government, controlled by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“This illicit association has severely undermined our party’s integrity, exposing us to political manipulation and sabotage. Furthermore, we have strong reason to believe that Sobotie has been commissioned and is subsequently compromised by his financial ties to the Delta State government, a glaring conflict of interest that erodes trust in his leadership and loyalty to our party.”
The SEC emphasized that while they had initially hoped to wait until the next party congress to address the issue, Sobotie’s continued leadership posed an imminent threat to the party’s stability.
“We had thought it best to wait until the next congress to address the threat that Sobotie represents. However, the damage that his continued stay in office is inflicting on the party is incalculable and may become irremediable if nothing is done to constrain Sobotie’s nefarious activities and damaging inactions,” they added.
The immediate past deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Rivers State, Dr Emana Ambrose Amawhe has resigned her membership of the party with immediate effect.
In a letter dated 28th March, 2025 addressed to the Chairman of Edem Odo Ward in Akpabuyo Local Government Council of Cross River State, she said, her resignation was with immediate effect.
She pointed out in the letter that her resignation should not be taken lightly, while she reaffirmed her commitment to and readiness to serve the government of Cross River and Nigeria in general in any capacities.
She said, “I am writing to formally resign my membership from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with immediate effect.
”I sincerely appreciate the opportunity given to me over time to contribute my quota to the growth of the party and the chance to serve as the Deputy Governorship Candidate in the last general elections.
”It was a privilege to be part of the PDP’s vision and engage with our people in meaningful ways. However, after much reflection in light of the current state of affairs within the party, I believe it is time for me to move on.
“This decision was not made lightly, but I remain committed to serving my community and contributing to the progress of our state and nation in other capacities.”
Ambrose-Amawhe was the running mate to Senator Sandy Onor in the 2023 governorship election in Cross River.
She had also contested for the House of Representatives seat for the Bakassi/Akpabuyo/Calabar South Federal Constituency under the PDP.
The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Rivers State Chapter, Chief Tony Okocha, has defended the emergency rule declared by President Bola Tinubu in the state, citing escalating security threats.
According to Chief Okocha, Rivers State was on the brink of anarchy due to increasing security concerns in various parts of the state.
Okocha made this statement while addressing journalists at the APC headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.
Justifying the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the declaration of a state of emergency, Okocha commended the President for his “timely” intervention and criticized those opposing the decision.
“The state of emergency called by Mr. President saved Rivers State from anarchy. When you see non-state actors brandishing guns and making statements that promote lawlessness, then you should know there is a problem.
“I see some people jumping onto television platforms to cast aspersions on Mr. President and condemn what they do not understand. Mr. President knows more than they do.
“The truth of the matter is that Rivers State was headed towards anarchy. We all know Rivers is one of the states that sustain this country. Some of the same people criticizing the President now would have also condemned him if he had done nothing.”
Chief Okocha also questioned the silence of former President Goodluck Jonathan and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) when the Rivers State House of Assembly complex was demolished under Governor Fubara’s administration.
“Thank God, President Goodluck Jonathan has been president, General Obasanjo has been president, and they know that every day on their table, they receive security reports.
“I hear the NBA saying the suspension is an affront to democracy. But when the assembly complex was burned and the next day, eleven pieces of equipment were deployed to demolish it, the NBA was silent. They were alive, yet we didn’t hear anything from them”, he said.
Reacting to criticism over why the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, was not sanctioned despite allegations that he contributed to the unrest, Okocha argued that Wike was not involved in the crisis.
He said, “For those asking why the Governor and members of the State House of Assembly were suspended but not the Minister of the FCT—was he in the frame? The answer is no”
Former presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party in the 2023 general election, Adewole Adebayo said, God has told him that the party will produce the next president in 2027 general election.
Speaking over the weekend in Abeokua when he met the members and executive who were led by the State Chairman, Yinka Ola-Williams, said he could confirm that a President of SDP will mount Aso Rock villa in 2027.
“One thing that God is telling me is that there will be an SDP president in the villa in 2027.
“For the first time in a long time, we will have people who care for the people. Let’s remain focused. The problems of Nigeria are our problems, not individuals.
“We are not against Tinubu as a person but we are against hunger, inflation, poverty, insecurity, unemployment. That’s what we are against,” he said.
Buttressing Adebayo’s position on modalities of joining the party, the SDP Chairman in Ogun State, Mr. Yinka Ola-Williams, disowned 30,000 membership cards and registers allegedly being flaunted by one of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aspirants in the 2023 governorship election in the State.
Ola-Williams said the party’s door is widely opened to anybody who wants to join, but such a person or group, no matter how highly placed, must follow the procedure as laid down in the party’s constitution.
He emphatically stated that the party had nothing to do with the membership cards and registers claimed by the aspirant, who said he got them from the party’s National Secretariat.
“We want people to join us, and we want to work together to provide a better government than what we have now that will remove poverty, provide a better healthcare system for people, improve education and all.
“But not that they come to the party, hijack the party and take the structure away. That’s what we will not agree,” Ola-Williams said.
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