The internal power tussle within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State has escalated into a full-blown leadership crisis, with former Deputy Senate President Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Olorogun Festus Keyamo locked in a battle for supremacy.
At the heart of the conflict is the question of who should lead the APC in the state, with Omo-Agege advocating for the continuation of his leadership and Keyamo asserting his position as the highest-ranking political officeholder in the State.
Party insiders believe the underlying issue is control over the party’s governorship ticket for the 2027 elections.
This rift, which dates back to the 2023 governorship primaries where Omo-Agege had the upper hand, resurfaced following the release of a controversial reconciliation report by the Olorogun O’tega Emerhor-led committee.
Rather than fostering unity, the report’s recommendation to establish a Leadership Council at all party levels has further polarized stakeholders.
Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, representing Delta North, criticized the proposal for Omo-Agege to co-chair party leadership with a serving minister, calling it a breach of Nigeria’s political hierarchy.
“As a former Deputy Senate President and a member of the APC National Executive Council, Omo-Agege outranks a minister.
“This recommendation undermines party hierarchy and creates unnecessary conflict,” he said.
Nwaoboshi further argued that the party’s structure cannot subordinate sitting senators to an appointed minister, emphasizing the fixed tenure and constitutional authority of legislators over ministerial appointees.
The escalating rivalry between Omo-Agege and Keyamo has cast doubt on the party’s cohesion ahead of future elections, leaving APC supporters questioning the path to unity in Delta State.
Credit: Leadership Newspaper except headline
