TheCable

A faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta state led by Cyril Ogodo has protested the alleged hijacking of the party in the state by “Illegal” executives.

Ogodo had been sworn in by the John Oyegun-led national working committee on June 4, 2018 in Abuja.

But upon resumption of office, Adams Oshiomhole, national chairman of the party, asked an Abuja court to adopt the ward and local government executives that emerged through a parallel congress.

The parallel congress was conducted by the Great Ogboru, a former governorship candidate and Ovie Omo-Agege, senator representing Delta central, faction of the party.

In a protest letter addressed to Oshiomhole, and dated June 29, the Ogodo faction said recognising the parallel executives is capable of further destroying the party.

The letter, which was signed by Ogodo and Silas Buowe, the party secretary, read: “It is shocking, not only because this appears to be your first major decision and action as our new national chairman, but because you had before your election as chairman given very loud indication that you will not belong or identify with factions in any state, but will work unite groups or factions that exist in the various states.

“In view of the above, we request you reconsider your envisaged recognition and support to the faction in Delta that did not emerged as party executives as that will only entrench two factions and disunity in Delta state APC.

“More than that, we the duly elected and inaugurated executives in Delta state will not donate our rights as executives to consent judgement purportedly between you and your newly inaugurated NWC that did not conduct the congresses at which we emerged.”

The faction added that unless Oshiomhole reconsiders his position, they intend to continue to function as “the duly elected wards and LGA executives of Delta state APC while reserving for ourselves all legal options to uphold our rights as duly elected executives”.

Delta is one of the states where the crisis in APC is having effect. During the convention in Abuja, members of both factions exchanged blows publicly.