By Abel Johngold Orheruata, MNIPR
The State Executive Committee (SEC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State has dismissed a petition filed by the state chairman, Elder Omeni Sobotie, against the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Barr. Felix Morka, describing it as reckless, baseless, and a deliberate attempt to undermine the party’s leadership.
In a statement signed by majority members of the SEC, the committee expressed strong disapproval of Sobotie’s actions and called for his immediate suspension from office.
The petition, dated March 17, 2025, had accused Morka of gross abuse of office and called for his removal, but the SEC dismissed the allegations as lacking merit.
SEC Condemns Sobotie’s Actions
The SEC stated that Sobotie acted unilaterally, without consulting or obtaining approval from the committee before submitting the petition. It criticized him for failing to understand the limits of his authority as state chairman and for disregarding the constitutional processes of the party.
According to the SEC, the petition contained two key allegations:
Clarification on Delta APC Leadership Council:
Sobotie accused Morka of issuing a press statement clarifying that the National Working Committee (NWC) did not approve the creation and inauguration of a Delta State APC Leadership Council. The SEC backed Morka’s position, asserting that the council was never discussed or approved by the SEC and was not recognized by the party’s constitution.
Alleged Declaration of Omo-Agege as Party Leader:
Sobotie claimed that Morka had declared Senator Ovie Omo-Agege as the leader of Delta APC in a television interview.
However, the SEC revealed that it found no evidence to support this claim, dismissing it as unfounded. The SEC questioned Sobotie’s hostility towards Senator Omo-Agege, who led the party to significant electoral successes in the 2023 general elections.
Calls for Sobotie’s Suspension
The SEC accused Sobotie of attempting to smear Barr. Morka’s reputation with “contrived and baseless allegations” and reaffirmed its full confidence in Morka’s leadership as National Publicity Secretary. It further alleged that Sobotie had violated Section 21.2v of the APC Constitution by making false allegations and publicizing party disputes without exhausting internal mechanisms for resolution.
The SEC also criticized Sobotie’s leadership, describing it as a “disaster” and alleging that he had been absent from duty for prolonged periods, failed to convene SEC and State Working Committee (SWC) meetings, and operated unilaterally. It further accused him of having inappropriate ties with the opposition-controlled Delta State Government, suggesting that he was compromised by financial dealings with the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
“We had initially intended to wait until the next congress to address Sobotie’s leadership failures, but his continued stay in office is causing irreparable damage to the party,” the SEC stated.
Demands for Immediate Action
The SEC called on the APC National Working Committee (NWC) to suspend Sobotie immediately to prevent further harm to the party’s structure and credibility in Delta State. The statement emphasized the need for swift disciplinary action to restore order and unity within the party.
The petition was signed by top APC executives in the state, including Chief (Barr.) Francis Obigbor (State Deputy Chairman), Surveyor Peter Akarogbe (State Secretary), State Vice Chairmen, Zonal and Local Government leaders, former and serving lawmakers, and principal officers of the Delta State House of Assembly.
The SEC also copied its petition to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and members of the APC National Working Committee.
With this development, the crisis within the Delta APC deepens, as party stakeholders brace for the response from the national leadership.
