The All Progressives Congress in Delta State has stirred fresh political reactions after announcing that its State House of Assembly screening exercise would be held at the party’s newly occupied secretariat on WAEC Road, Asaba, a facility long identified with the People’s Democratic Party before the recent wave of defections that reshaped the state’s political landscape.
The development has sparked criticism and quiet ridicule within political circles, with observers questioning why the APC, despite years of branding itself as the leading opposition force in Delta State, appears to have abandoned its familiar state secretariat along Anwai Road in favour of operating from the former PDP stronghold
Critics argue that the move paints a picture of a party struggling to establish a distinct identity of its own, choosing instead to inherit not only PDP defectors but also the opposition party’s political structures and operational base.
In a statement signed by the Delta APC Publicity Secretary, Valentine Onojeghuo Esq., the party announced that the National Working Committee (NWC) had approved members of the State House of Assembly Screening Committee and Screening Appeal Committee for Delta State.
The statement directed all aspirants contesting for seats in the Delta State House of Assembly to appear for screening on Sunday, May 10, 2026, by 1:00 p.m. at the “Delta APC State Secretariat, WAEC Road, Asaba, opposite WAEC Office.”
While the announcement primarily focused on the screening process, attention quickly shifted to the symbolism behind the venue, a location many residents still associate with the PDP, which governed Delta State for years before the recent political realignments.
Political commentators say the decision further fuels public perception that the APC in Delta State is increasingly relying on former PDP structures and influence rather than strengthening its original party base and identity.
Some party loyalists privately expressed surprise that the APC’s long-standing secretariat on Anwai Road was seemingly sidelined for such a critical exercise, especially given the significance of the screening process ahead of the party primaries.
The APC, however, maintained that the screening exercise would be transparent and credible, while also dismissing social media claims alleging that certain aspirants were being deliberately excluded from the process.
According to the party, the delay in commencing the screening exercise was caused by the late release of committee members by the National Working Committee on May 9.
Among those appointed into the screening committee are Dr. Uche Uzochukwu as chairman, Barr. Amauchechukwu Uzoaro, Comrade Peter Chime, Hon. Mrs. Peace Patrick Nnaji, and Dr. Chiedozie Nwafor as secretary.
The Screening Appeal Committee is chaired by Senator Ben-Collins Ndu, with Hon. Anthony Nwobodo and Barr. Peter Ugwu serving as member and secretary respectively.
Despite the official explanation, political observers insist that the greater public conversation remains the APC’s apparent comfort in occupying the operational headquarters of the very party it once fiercely criticised, a development many describe as both ironic and politically symbolic
