Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Delta North Coalition for Equity (DNCE) have raised concerns over what they described as the continued exclusion of pioneer and loyal party members from key decision-making processes and government appointments in Delta State.
The group called on the National Chairman of the APC and Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, to ensure the inclusion of long-standing party members in governance and party affairs.
The appeal was made during a stakeholders’ meeting held on Sunday in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area, where members urged party leaders to address their grievances in the interest of unity, equity and progress.
Speaking at the meeting, the Convener of the coalition, Chief Alex Ikpeazu, called for fairness, inclusiveness and equity, noting that many founding members of the APC had remained loyal to the party despite years of political challenges and neglect.
He stressed that sustainable party growth and effective governance could only be achieved when those who laboured for the party’s survival were recognised and carried along.
“We have been in the party for years without defecting and have not benefited from the party we diligently formed. We do not want those who joined us later to override us. We don’t want to continue to be in bondage,” Ikpeazu said.
He called on the party’s national leadership to develop a clear framework that recognises old members in party structures, including ward, local government and state leadership positions, adding that the forthcoming congresses should be free of conflict.
Ikpeazu also urged Governor Oborevwori to consider long-standing APC members in appointments across the state, arguing that Delta North should produce the party chairman, having been preceded by Delta South and Central zones.
“The turn of Delta North to produce the chairman will help mend fences and strengthen unity ahead of 2027,” he added.
The Secretary of the coalition, Kemmer Enina, warned that continued marginalisation of old members could weaken party unity, stressing that exclusion breeds discontent and undermines loyalty.
Similarly, Amb. Kenneth Rafua described inclusion as a right, not a privilege, noting that experienced members possess the institutional memory required to strengthen governance.
Other leaders, including Ben LionHeart Williams, Williams Agholor, and High Chief Gabriel Ohai, the Odogwu of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom, echoed calls for fairness, reintegration of pioneer members into governance structures, and the preservation of party unity.
The coalition reaffirmed its loyalty to the APC and pledged continued support for the party and government, including working towards the re-election of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
