Drama in Delta APC, as factions expel each other’s top officers

A major drama is playing out in the divided All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State as each of the two warring factions has announced the expulsion of their chairmen and top officers from the party ahead of Saturday primaries.

There’s the Chief O’tega Emerhor/Chief Cyril Ogodo-led faction and the Senator Ovie Omo-Agege/Prophet Jones Erue-led faction with the former legitimised and loyal to the erstwhile national chairman, Chief John Oyegun and the latter recognised by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

The two factions emerged from the crises-ridden May 2018 parallel congresses separately held, amid court injunctions, by the two factions with each producing separate executives at the ward, local government and state levels.

Enjoying legitimacy from Comrade Oshiomhole, the Prophet Erue-led faction on Wednesday announced the expulsion of the chairman of Chief Cyril Ogodo and six others of the Emerhor/Ogodo-led faction for alleged anti-party activities and impersonation of party officers.

In a swift reaction too, in a statement, made available to TribuneOnline late Thursday, the Chief Emerhor/Ogodo-led factional executive also announced the expulsion of Prophet Jones Erue and seven others from the party.

The expulsion notification came after the Chief Emerhor/Ogodo-led faction held an emergency meeting in Asaba on Thursday.

The drama of expulsion is playing out less than 24 hours to the party’s governorship primaries billed for Saturday (tomorrow).

Others expelled, according to the Chief Emerhor/Ogodo-led faction, in a press release signed by the faction’s State Legal Adviser, Barr Dennis Nwanokwai Esq apart from Prophet Jones Erue, included Engr. Elvis Ayomanor, Comrade Chidi Okonji; E. V. Onojeghuo Esq; Sir A. S. Mene; Mr Silver Ighomena, Mr Chuks Erhire and Olorogun Adelabu Ejiroghene Bodjor.

The faction also accused them of anti-party activities, impersonation of party’s executives and factionalisation of the party, among other offences.

“Notice is hereby given by the Delta State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to Party members and the general public that the following individuals have been expelled from the Party with immediate effect.

“Prophet Jones Ode Erue, Engr. Elvis Ayomanor, Comr. Chidi Okonji, E. V. Onojeghuo Esq Sir A. S. Mene, Mr. Silver Ighomena, Mr. Chuks Erhire, Olorogun Adelabu Ejiroghene Bodjor.

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“The expulsion is a sequel to their anti-party activities, impersonation of party officers, giving wrong information, and factionalisation or creating parallel party organs, in fragrant and reckless breach of the sacred provisions of the Constitution of our Party. (Article 21: I – vii).

“Furthermore, all Party members and the general public are advised to avoid dealing with these persons for their own good,” the statement read in part.

In its own earlier statement, the Omo-Agege/Erue-led faction, through its State Secretary, Chidi Okonji, listed the six others expelled to include; Mr Terry Otunya, Mr Henry Onianwa, Mr Ebiakpo Ezebri, Mr Edewor Akpedafe, Mr Christian Onodjacha and Mr Oviri Emmanuel Orakata.

The faction accused Chief Cyril Ogodo, Mr Terry Otunya, Mr Henry Onianwa, Mr Ebiakpo Ezebri, Mr Edewor Akpedafe and Mr Christian Onodjacha of issuing unauthorised press releases and creating a factionalized/parallel Executive Committee of the party, thereby, bringing the party to public ridicule and disrepute.

It also accused Mr Oviri Emmanuel Orakata of dragging the party to court.

“Chief Cyril Ogodo, Mr Terry Otunya, Mr Henry Onianwa, Mr Ebiakpo Ezebri, Mr Edewor Akpedafe and Mr Christian Onodjacha are hereby expelled from the Party in accordance with the provisions of Article 21(A) i, ii, iv, vi of the Party’s Constitution.”

Mr Oviri Emmanuel Orakata “is hereby automatically expelled in accordance with the provisions of Article 21(D)v of the Party’s Constitution. The expulsion of the above-named persons takes immediate effect,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, Tribune Online gathered on Friday that the news of the expulsion of Prophet Jones Erue and others has allegedly thrown the State House of Assembly aspirants of the party into confusion.

It was gathered that those who had been screened by the Erue-led factional executive are jittery over what might befall their aspiration should litigation ensues.

With the Osun controversial governorship election over, political pundits said attention has been shifted to Delta State as Comrade Oshiomhole has publicly vowed to uproot the incumbent governor from the government house amid an APC tumultuous house.