March 21, (THEWILL) – Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, including the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), have passed a vote of confidence on the party’s State Chairman, Elder Omeni Sobotie, reaffirming their support for his leadership.
The move follows a petition allegedly written on behalf of the State Executive Committee by the State Deputy Chairman, Francis Obigbor, and the State Secretary, Peter Akarogbe, calling for Sobotie’s removal. The petition was addressed to the APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
However, a resolution signed by 41 party leaders, including National Assembly members, the State Working Committee, and other stakeholders, dismissed the petition as baseless and divisive, insisting it does not reflect the collective stance of Delta APC.
“We, the undersigned leaders of the APC in Delta State, having reviewed the leadership and management of the Party under Elder Omeni Sobotie, unequivocally reaffirm our full confidence in his leadership.
“This decision follows the recent misguided and unwarranted petition for his removal. We categorically dismiss the allegations as baseless, divisive, and against the collective interest of our great party. The undersigned majority members of the State Working Committee have consistently been consulted on all actions taken by the State Chairman, and we approved them,” the resolution stated.
The leaders also condemned what they described as the ongoing manipulation of party members’ names for political purposes, accusing certain individuals of using members’ names in publications without their consent.
Reaffirming their confidence in Sobotie, they declared, “We fully endorse and support all steps and decisions taken under his leadership, which have significantly strengthened the party in Delta State. His commitment to effective administration, conflict resolution, and fostering unity among members has positioned APC as a formidable force in the state.
“In view of his outstanding leadership, we unanimously pass a vote of confidence in Elder Omeni Sobotie as the State Chairman of the APC in Delta State. We affirm our continued support for his efforts to consolidate and expand the party’s influence in the state.”
The resolution urged party members to ignore calls for Sobotie’s removal, dismissing them as distractions orchestrated by desperate individuals.
“It is our collective responsibility to remain united and focused. We must work together to strengthen the party and ensure electoral success in 2027. Any attempts at internal sabotage, division, and disunity must be resisted,” they charged.
The resolution was signed by Festus Keyamo (SAN); Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North); Senator Ede Dafinone (Delta Central); Senator Joel Onowakpo-Thomas (Delta South); Hon. Francis Waive (Ughelli North, Ughelli South, and Udu Federal Constituency); Hon. Stella Okotete (Executive Director, NEXIM Bank); Hon. Doris Uboh (Executive Director, Rural Electrification Fund); Chief Dennis Otuaro (Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Program); Chief Bosin Ebikeme (Chairman, Niger Delta Basin Development Authority); and Dr. Austin Izagbo (Executive Director, Benin-Owena Basin Development Authority).
Other signatories included Charles Odii (DG, SMEDAN), Olorogun O’tega Emerhor (founding APC leader in Delta), Chief Great Ogboru (2019 APC governorship candidate), Elder Godsday Orubebe (former Minister), Chief Hyacinth Enuha (former BoT member), Hon. Victor Ochei (former Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly), and several other key APC stakeholders.
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