- As Onochie, Ogboru Fight Over Control Of Structure Splits Party
By Egufe Yafugborhi
ASABA – DELTA state stakeholders have urged the national leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to authenticate the James Oghenero Akporero chaired state Executive Committee (EXCO) to pilot the party affairs in the state.
A gathering of all formation blocs of the party, weekend, in Asaba raised the demand as two parrarel EXCOs, including one chaired by George Timinimi are under review by the national body which has assured fair, amicable resolution of the disagreement.
The split in the Delta ADC is alleged to be induced by intense fight for control of the party structure between former Presidential Aide, Lauretta Onochie and serial governorship aspirant, Great Ogboru.
Addressing the situation, Dr Charles Chinye Okoba, stakeholder, explained that across the four blocs there was no controversy in the recent congresses held from ward to state levels in Delta ADC leading to the emergence of the Akporero state EXCO until some persons within the APC bloc submitted a different list to Abuja.
Okoba explained, “I was one of the participants during the state congress. Forms were filled by various participants, they were attested and submitted to Mabel Oboh, the National Laiason Officer sent from the ADC National Secretariat Abuja to screen and conduct the Congress.
“While Mabel was carrying put that official duty, we began to hear that a group within a bloc had sent a list to Abuja purporting to be a consensus reached by the people as names of those that will form the new State EXCO of the party in Delta.
“Mabel heard that and addressed a press conference refuting that list, that she was not consulted, not party to it and stating the clear position in the state. That prompted a Congress Committee sent from Abuja to Delta State, led by Sen Clever Ikitikpo who now met, invited all four blocs.
“The Senator mandated the four groups to nominate three persons each, making it a 12-man representative Committee. The Committee met, deliberated and after 48hrs produced a list of zoning formula signed by all parties.
“Thereafter they shared all the posts to the various blocs democratically and that was signed as the consensus EXCO. Unfortunately it was discovered some members of a bloc (APC’s) have gone ahead to send a list purported to be elected EXCO, which was not correct at all.
“Our demand is that the list flying, purporting to be the elected EXCO should be discountenanced and the list produced by the 12 man Committee of all blocs should be upheld.”
For Akporero, “We have met with principal members of the national body. They said they’re aware of what is going on and we don’t have reasons to fear. All we need do is submit our list and evidences to back it. That we did.
“National has said you will come and defend your list. Those who went ahead to submit a seperate list thinking they can just do so and have their way will now know it is not business as usual.
“The National Secretary has said everybody will meet and discuss and at the appropriate time, decision will be taken and all the issues.
“And that is why we are saying the authentic list is the one produced and signed by all four blocs and we submitted to Abuja which recognises me as state chairman.”
Repeated calls and text enquiry to reach Goerge Timinimi who leads the parallel Delta state EXCO to respond on the situation were not honoured.
Article Delta ADC: Stakeholders urge nat’l leadership to adopt Akporero consensus exco Live On NgGossips.
