…voids ‘illegal’ leadership sanctions

UGHELLI — A fresh leadership crisis has rocked the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, as the Agbarha Ward in Ughelli North Local Government Area announced the suspension of 10 members over alleged anti-party activities and gross misconduct.

In a resolution dated March 31, 2026, and addressed to the party’s Ughelli North LGA chairman, the ward executives said the suspensions were carried out in line with Article 21 (A i, ii, iii) of the APC Constitution.

The affected members were accused of offences including factionalisation of the party, disobedience to directives, among others

Those suspended are Chief Surv. Terry Noah, Barr. Charles Oniyere, Chief Lucky Ofomukoro, Chief Alfred Onavwa, Chief Bestman Itive, Obus Sylvester Emoefe, Christopher Imoninu, Murphy Ohwogaga, Hon. Peace Emoefe, and Chief Christabel Obiuwevbi.

The ward leadership directed party faithful to cease all dealings with the suspended individuals, insisting that their actions were detrimental to party unity and discipline.

The statement, however, dismissed as unlawful an earlier move by the affected individuals to suspend key ward leaders, declaring such action invalid.

“The so-called suspension of Chief Ominimini Christopher Obiuwevbi, Chief David Ohwoekevwo, and Mr Morrison Aruoture is null and void and as such declared null and void as they have no such powers to do so,” the statement read.

According to the ward executives, those behind the disputed action were former members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who allegedly defected to the APC and attempted to assume leadership positions without due process.

The statement further alleged that the group had opposed the APC during the 2023 general elections but later joined the party after its electoral success, accusing them of creating parallel structures within the ward.

Highlighting the contributions of party leaders, the ward described Chief Ominimini Christopher Obiuwevbi as a key figure in the APC’s success in Delta Central during the 2023 elections, noting his roles in campaign coordination, membership mobilisation, and election result collation.

Similarly, Chief David Ohwoekevwo was identified as the immediate past ward chairman who led the party through the 2023 polls, while Mr. Morrison Aruoture was affirmed as the duly elected ward chairman following the 2026 APC ward congress.

The ward executives accused the suspended members of refusing to work with existing leadership and instead fostering division and acrimony within the party.

They also alleged that the crisis had led to confrontations during the 2023 electioneering period, including clashes at campaign venues and collation centres.

Reaffirming their commitment to party unity, the ward leaders warned against any actions capable of undermining the APC’s structure at the grassroots level and called on members and the public to recognise the suspensions as binding.

The resolution was signed by Mr. Morrison Aruoture (Chairman), Mr. Umufo Joseph (Secretary), Mr. Obuiwevwi Alex (Youth Leader), and Mrs. Omojero Blessing (Woman Leader).

Recall that Agbarha APC a faction of the ruling party, had suspended members over constitution breaches. Read the story here.