Delta APC debunks false claims by Ejiofor's group, reaffirms unity, fairness, others

The All Progressives Congress(APC) in Delta State has debunked a media publication purportedly by group led by Dr. Emma Ejiofor alleging that loyal party members are being sidelined and betrayed following recent political developments in the State.

This is contained in a statement by APC Delta State Publicity Secretary, Valentine Onojeghuo Esq. 

The statement was to Our Correspondent in Warri.

The APC said the publication is,"self-serving", "divisive" and attention-seeking utterances. 

The APC said, "we wish to categorically state that the claims made by Dr. Ejiofor and his group are false, malicious and borne out of personal interests rather than genuine concerns for the progress and unity of our great Party."

It noted that, "Delta APC remains firmly committed to the principles of inclusiveness, fairness and equal opportunity for all members, irrespective of when they joined the Party.

"For the avoidance of doubt, there is no classification of ‘old’ or ‘new’ members within the APC. Every bona fide member is accorded the same rights, privileges and opportunities to contribute meaningfully to the growth and success of our Party, both within Delta State and nationally. 

"It is therefore hypocritical for Dr. Emma Ejiofor, who only joined the APC from the PDP in 2020 without any impediments placed on him and enjoyed a seamless reception into the Party, to now turn around and demand that impediments be placed on other new entrants.

"It is pertinent to note that following the movement of *His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori* to the APC, the Party has grown stronger, more united and strategically positioned as the dominant force in Delta State politics. 

"As the sitting governor and constitutionally recognized leader of the Party in the State, His Excellency has demonstrated uncommon leadership, magnanimity and inclusiveness by carrying along all members-both those who have laboured in the past and those who have recently joined the Party-in the spirit of unity, peace and progress to strengthen our collective vision for development and prosperity.

"This momentous movement of His Excellency has been widely celebrated by the majority of members who understand the strategic importance of building a broad-based, inclusive political structure capable of winning elections and delivering sustainable development to our people."

The APC explained that, "Unfortunately, rather than aligning with the current reality of building a stronger and more formidable party in Delta State, Dr. Emma Ejiofor is busy promoting outright lies and divisive diatribes."

According to the AP ,"If Dr. Emma Ejiofor and his group must know, the truth of the matter is that critical decisions affecting the Party at the State level, such as the movement of the governor to the Party, were taken with due consultations with the Presidency, the National and State leadership.

"It is therefore untrue and misleading for Dr. Ejiofor to allege that decisions are being unilaterally imposed on the leadership of the Party in the State without consultation. Or does Dr. Ejiofor see himself as one of the leaders to be consulted? Indeed, it is laughable to think so.

"These allegations of betrayal and 'hostile takeover' by Dr. Emma Ejiofor and his group are not only baseless, mischievous and misleading but are also deliberate and calculated attempts to sow seeds of discord within the Party in pursuit of personal relevance and selfish interests. Such divisive rhetoric is unhelpful and counterproductive to our collective efforts to reposition the APC as the preferred political platform in Delta State.

"Regrettably, it is on record that since joining the Party, Dr. Emma Ejiofor has neither contributed financially nor engaged meaningfully towards the growth of the Party at any level. Rather, he has consistently been at loggerheads with other committed leaders who have invested their time, resources and energy for the growth and survival of the APC in his Aniocha South Local Government Area in an attempt to undermine their collective efforts.

"Furthermore, the antecedents of Dr. Ejiofor are well known to all. In the 2021 local government council elections, while claiming to be a member of the APC, Dr. Ejiofor openly supported the then PDP candidate against the APC candidate, thereby undermining the Party’s chances in that election. 

"Similarly, during the 2023 governorship election, leveraging his relationship with a former NDDC chairman from Delta North (who has since left the APC for the ADC), he worked against the Party’s interests. 

"The irresistible conclusion to be drawn here is that Dr. Emma Ejiofor's game plan from the outset of his membership is to create disunity and disaffection within the Party, possibly before leaving for his final destination.

"Not surprisingly, in light of his persistent anti-party activities and divisive tendencies, the Aniocha South LGA Executive Committee, at an expanded meeting recently, declared Dr. Ejiofor persona non grata and barred him from attending any APC meeting at the local government level. This action underscores his lack of credibility to speak on behalf of genuine party stakeholders in the LGA or Delta State at large.

"For the umpteenth time, Delta APC wishes to reiterate that no individual or group will be allowed to destabilize the unity and peace currently enjoyed under His Excellency, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori. 

"Our Party remains focused on strengthening internal cohesion, building structures that deliver electoral victories and working with the governor to implement impactful policies and programs that uplift the lives of our people under the M.O.R.E. Agenda, in synergy with the Renewed Hope Agenda of *President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR*, and will not be distracted by self-styled stakeholders seeking relevance through unfounded claims and media sensationalism.

While congratulating our newly elected National Chairman,Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, on his well-deserved emergence, we urge the national leadership of our great Party to ignore the shenanigans of Dr. Emma Ejiofor and his cohorts, whose only interest lies in promoting disunity within the party to feather their own nests rather than advancing the collective growth, stability and progress of all members. 

"Their antics are self-serving and does not reflect the values, aspirations or strategic direction of the APC in Delta State.

"We urge our teeming supporters and all genuine members of the APC in Delta State to disregard the misleading statements by Dr. Ejiofor and to remain steadfast, disciplined and united as we work together under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, to build a stronger, more inclusive and more formidable party in Delta State and beyond.

"Delta APC remains resolute in its commitment to ensuring that no member is left behind. We call on all party faithful to continue to uphold the values of loyalty, discipline and sacrifice that define us as progressives as we march forward towards achieving our collective goals for the people of Delta State."