A widening internal crisis is engulfing the Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following allegations of the imposition of ward executives ahead of the party’s scheduled congresses.
What began as routine preparations for ward congresses has reportedly spiralled into protests, counter-accusations, and growing distrust among party faithful across the three senatorial districts of the state.
At the heart of the controversy are claims that consensus lists for ward executives are being unilaterally compiled and imposed without due consultation with grassroots members.
Party sources attribute the tension to an escalating power struggle between longstanding APC members and recent defectors, particularly over control of ward structures, the foundational building blocks of party administration and electoral mobilization.
The unrest reportedly intensified last week when consensus lists began circulating in several wards.
In multiple instances, aggrieved members alleged that the lists did not reflect the will of stakeholders at the grassroots level.
This has triggered a series of protests at the party’s state secretariat in Asaba, with ward leaders and members submitting formal complaints.
In some local government areas, longstanding party members have openly rejected the proposed executive lists, describing the process as opaque and exclusionary.
Allegations have also surfaced that financial inducements and political influence may have played a role in shaping the disputed lists, claims that have further deepened suspicion within the ranks.
Critics argue that sidelining grassroots stakeholders at the ward level risks undermining internal democracy and weakening party cohesion ahead of future electoral contests.
They maintain that ward congresses must reflect transparency, fairness, and inclusivity to preserve the integrity of the party’s internal processes.
As tensions simmer, the state leadership of the party has yet to issue a comprehensive response to the allegations.
However, stakeholders insist that urgent intervention is required to prevent the crisis from escalating further and fracturing the party’s structure at its most fundamental level.
Political observers note that ward executives play a critical role in grassroots mobilization, candidate selection dynamics, and party stability.
Any perceived manipulation of that structure, they warn, could have lasting implications for unity and electoral strength.
With congresses imminent, attention is now focused on whether the party leadership will address the grievances transparently or allow the simmering discontent to harden into deeper factional divisions within the Delta APC.
