It was intended to serve as a congress of reconciliation and unity, presenting the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a unified party deserving of election and reelection in 2027 at all levels.
However, the outcomes of the party’s congresses demonstrated that the actors had not yet learned from their pattern of manipulating elections and crises.
Allegations of rigging and outright hijacking of party machinery by various factions in almost every one of the state’s 500 wards were reported during the state’s most recent Congress.
It was stated that up to four factions, each claiming to be the legitimate organization in each of Delta State’s 25 local governments, staged parallel congresses.
The incumbent governor’s influence was very noticeable as they rallied supporters to make sure their supporters were elected.
However, several factions rejected them, believing that the development was the first step in the governor’s plan to prevent his alleged political rivals from seizing power in 2027.
Senator Ovie Omo Agege, the country’s former Senate deputy president, resides in the Ughelli North Local Government area, which has become the most volatile place to witness blatant displays of power.
According to reports, Governor Sheriff Oborevbore also produced a list of supporters in the same Federal constituency, while Senator Ovie Omo Agege reportedly had a list of loyalists that he attempted to install as executives.
Supporters of the former deputy Senate President operated from hotels, while those of the governor, who was dispersed over the state, operated from government house in Asaba.
The degree of hostility to the governor in several local governments in the state was thought to have added to his anxiety.
The supporters of the previous governor’s daughter, Mrs. Ibori Suenu, who represents the Ethiopia Federal constituency in the National Assembly, were reportedly attacked, resulting in a bloody congress at the residence of former Governor James Onanefe Ibori in Ethiope West Local Government.
According to an eyewitness, the Congress had just begun when a group of heavily armed individuals with a variety of weaponry, including battle axes, AK-47s, double barrel guns, and pump action rifles, stormed the site.
Although the exact number of casualties was unknown at the time of publication, reports suggested that more than twenty party faithful might have suffered serious injuries.
When some miscreants who were thought to be loyal to one of the groups tried to disrupt the Congress at the IKA Federal constituency, home of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, it had just begun. However, they were thwarted by civil defense corps members who had been called to the Congress site.
The congresses were calm in Koko, Warri North Local Government area, the residence of Evangelist Michael Diden, Chief Solomon Areyinka, Hon. Alfred Martins, and local government chairman Festus Ashima.
Voter behavior remained consistent with the overall prediction.
The local government council chairman, Mr. Festus Ashima, made sure that everything was peaceful and in order, but the security guards who were sent to the scene were essentially doing nothing.
