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.
A pressure group, Action Collective, has urged Nigerians to disregard rumors that the Federal High Court has lifted its order restraining the Senate from probing Senator Natasha Uduaghan over allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Goodwill Akpabio.
In a statement signed on Thursday by Dr. Onimisi Ibrahim, the Kogi-based group reaffirmed that the court order remains in effect. According to them, instead of vacating it, the court provided further clarification on the case.
They explained that the court had not yet considered Senator Uduaghan’s request for a mandatory injunction but had instead addressed a motion filed by the Senate on March 17, 2025.
The group noted that in spite of the restraining order, the Senate proceeded with its investigation and ultimately pronounced a six-month suspension on Senator Natasha.
“They equally filed an application, which was vehemently opposed by the Plaintiff’s counsel, Michael Numa, SAN, who emphasized the Senate’s contemptuous actions in defying the Court’s orders.
“Numa argued that the Senate was not entitled to any further orders from the same court it had disrespected.
“After standing down the matter for a few hours, the Judge returned to deliver a ruling, offering clarification on the scope of Order 4. Contrary to the interpretation sought by the 2nd Defendant (the Senate), that the restraining order was meant to halt the entire legislative function of the Senate, the Court noted that the National Assembly had been carrying out its legislative functions without any hindrance.
“The Court further clarified that, owing to the varying interpretations of the order, it would set aside only the consequential aspects of Order 4, which was merely meant to give effect to the predicate orders.”
The group declared that contrary to false reports, “The Court did not set aside Orders 1, 2, or 3, which include the orders restraining the Senate’s Ethics Committee from continuing its investigation into the Plaintiff’s alleged conduct while the Motion for an Interlocutory Injunction remains pending.
“Additionally, the Court did not reverse its directive for the Defendants to show cause within 72 hours or overturn the order to maintain the status quo ante bellum.
“The Court’s decision only involved the clarification of Order 4 due to the differing interpretations presented by the Defendants.
“The matter was subsequently adjourned to March 25, 2025, for the hearing of all pending applications, including the substantive dispute.
“We use this medium to assure the general public that justice shall prevail, even as we urge everyone to disregard the misinformation in circulation,” the group clarified.
Some leaders from opposition parties in the country have announced the formation of a coalition aimed at removing President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.
Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, made the announcement while addressing journalists at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday.
The meeting was attended by top opposition figures, including Labour Party’s former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who was represented by Yunusa Tanko; former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal; and National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), Peter Ameh, among others.
It was announced that some notable figures were absent but had taken permission, including former governors of Rivers and Ekiti states, Rotimi Amaechi and Kayode Fayemi, as well as the immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Adamu.
When asked if the gathering marked the beginning of a coalition of political parties for the 2027 election, Atiku responded with a clear “Yes.”
A coalition of concerned leaders and political stakeholders in Nigeria has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately reverse the suspension of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.
The leaders made this demand during a joint press conference in Abuja on Thursday.
Among those present at the meeting were former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and former Labour Party presidential candidate Mr. Peter Obi, who was represented by Yunusa Tanko. Also in attendance was former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai.
Other notable figures, including former All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu, former Governor of Ekiti State Kayode Fayemi, and former Governor of Rivers State Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, were unable to attend but had formally excused their absence.
Describing Fubara’s suspension and the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State as unconstitutional and illegal, the coalition urged President Tinubu to reinstate the governor and his deputy without delay.
Furthermore, they called on the judiciary to invalidate the suspension, warning that it sets a dangerous precedent that could be used arbitrarily to remove elected governors in the future.
“Mr. President’s illegal and unconstitutional proclamation was presumably driven by the protracted insidious political crisis in Rivers State, which culminated in the recent ruling of the Supreme Court. Naturally, we expected all parties to the dispute to follow laid-down procedures, and in good faith, to promptly implement the judgment of the highest court of the land. We note that despite provocative statements and the belligerent attitude of his opponents, Governor Fubara had demonstrated goodwill and appeared disposed to implementing the ruling of the Supreme Court,” the leaders said.
They accused President Tinubu of acting out of bias and neglecting his constitutional duty to be fair to all Nigerians.
“However, rather than rise above the fray, the president yielded to petty favouritism and betrayed the oath that he solemnly swore to before God and man, which was to ‘do right to all manner of people, according to law, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will.’ If President Tinubu had conveniently disguised his true intentions in the past, his broadcast to the nation on 18th March 2025 betrayed his bias and fell far below the standard of comportment expected from his exalted office,” they noted.
The coalition called on Nigerians to resist what they described as an undemocratic act by the federal government.
According to them, “Rivers State is not a conquered territory, and Nigeria is not a dictatorship requiring the replacement of an ELECTED GOVERNOR with a MILITARY ADMINISTRATOR. We recall that even when a previous administration declared a state of emergency in parts of the country plagued by insurgency and terrorism, the governors of the affected states were not removed from office. This action by President Tinubu, therefore, represents a new low for our country.”
They warned against the potential consequences of political instability in the Niger Delta, reminding the government of the historical unrest in the region.
“Past administrations made great efforts and sacrifices to restore peace and stability to the Niger Delta, which is critical to Nigeria’s economic health. This federal government should not manufacture political crises that could disrupt the fragile stability and return the country to a past that we have all prayed to leave behind for good,” they said.
The coalition insisted that the suspension must be reversed to uphold the rule of law and preserve Nigeria’s democracy.
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