A fresh crisis has erupted within the Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following revelations of an alleged misappropriation of over $50,000 in donations meant to foster party unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
What was meant to be a unifying enlarged APC meeting held on Friday in Oleh, the administrative headquarters of Isoko south local government area, has instead turned into a battleground of accusations, with prominent party members accusing senior officials of hijacking funds contributed by stakeholders as a traditional “kola nut wedge.”
According to credible sources who spoke with, the funds, donated by well-meaning financiers to symbolize peace, loyalty, and renewed commitment to the party, have been allegedly diverted by a clique of party leaders working in collusion with former officials of the defunct PDP state executive.
Prominent among the donors was Ijaw businessman and Maton Engineering chairman, Chief Matthew Tonlagha, who reportedly contributed $30,000.
Additional sums of $10,000, $5,000, $4,000, and $2,000 were contributed by others. Over ₦200 million was also raised in naira to bolster the party’s mobilisation efforts.
However, insiders allege that only ₦72 million was disbursed across the eight local government areas in Delta South, an average of just ₦9 million per LGA, leaving unanswered questions about the whereabouts of the rest of the funds.
“They hijacked the over $50,000 kola nut money that was meant to be shared equitably among the eight LGAs,” fumed a former APC aspirant who attended the meeting but requested anonymity.
“What happened was broad daylight stealing. This is not the change we promised.”
Another source, a former Delta State House of Assembly member, did not mince words: “This is shameful. Nigerian politicians can never learn. The dollars were allegedly shared among APC leaders and former PDP executives from the district. They can kill for dollars.”
The meeting, chaired by APC State Chairman, Omeni Sobotie, and attended by prominent figures such as Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas and former Senator James Manager, was initially seen as a rallying point for party cohesion.
However, it has now left a bitter aftertaste, with growing calls for transparency and accountability.
According to reports, when contacted for comment, Sobotie declined to address the allegations directly, saying only, “I’m not aware.”
Party insiders warn that unless urgent steps are taken to investigate and address the scandal, the fallout could severely fracture the APC’s base in Delta South and damage its credibility ahead of the 2027 elections.
“This betrayal has consequences,” one party stalwart said. “If nothing is done, the APC risks self-destruction in Delta.”
As murmurs of discontent continue to spread, all eyes are now on the national leadership of the APC and the Progressive Governors’ Forum, whose recent communique described the party as “the most institutionally coherent political platform in Nigeria.”
Whether that coherence can withstand this latest test remains to be seen.
