Delta APC crisis deepens, state exco dismisses chairman’s petition against Morka

Tags it reckless, calls for Soboties’ suspension as state chairman

From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja

The crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC), Delta State chapter, has taken a worrisome dimension as members of the State Executive Committee (SEC) have disassociated themselves from the petition authored by their chairman, Elder Omeni Sobotie, against the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, and demanded for his immediate suspension.

The embattled Sobotie, had petitioned the national leadership of the party, accusing Morka of gross abuse of office and demanding for the removal of the party’s spokesperson.

In the letter written to the party’s national chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the state secretary, Mr Peter Akarogbe, claimed that the petition was authored unilaterally by Sobotie without reference to, and without the approval of SEC.

The party’s state scribe further emphasised that the petition was grossly misconceived, petty, reckless, and disclosed no reasonable or justifiable basis to call for the removal of the national publicity secretary from office, stressing that Sobotie lacks understanding of the limits of his authority as state chairman.

They demanded his suspension, stressing, “We have completely lost confidence in Sobotie’s leadership as state chairman, as he continues to act with impunity in blatant disregard of the party’s constitution. We  urge the NWC to take immediate disciplinary action by suspending him from his position as state chairman. This decisive measure is crucial to prevent further damage to the party’s reputation and integrity.”

According to the letter, “We, the majority members of the SEC of the APC, Delta State chapter, hereunder named, write to express our utmost dismay and condemnation of the action of the state chairman, Elder Omeni Sobotie, in bringing the petition.”

“Further, we wish to state as follows: The petition was authored unilaterally by Sobotie without reference to, and without the approval of, the SEC, on whose behalf he claims to have submitted the disturbing and dishonourable petition dated 17/03/2025, demanding the removal of the National Publicity Secretary (NPS), Felix Morka, from office.

“The petition is grossly misconceived, petty, reckless and disclosed no reasonable or justifiable basis to call for the removal of the national publicity secretary from office. It shows that Sobotie lacks understanding of the limits of his authority as state chairman and the requisite constitutional process for the discipline of officers of the respective organs of the party, particularly the NWC,” the letter noted.

Signed by 79-member state and local government executives, further noted that, “Sobotie’s petition contains two allegations against the national publicity secretary, it claims that he issued a press statement clarifying that the NWC did not grant approval for the creation and inauguration of a Delta State APC leadership council, and did so without consultation with the NWC. The clarification offered by the national publicity secretary was necessitated by a claim contained in a press statement issued by the state publicity secretary, which declared that the NWC had granted approval for the creation and inauguration of the council.

“We fully support the position of the NWC that the council is not an organ created or recognised under the party’s constitution, and in any event, was never discussed or approved by the SEC.

“Sobotie alleged that the national publicity secretary declared Senator Omo-Agege the leader of the party in a television interview. We have diligently searched for any television news reports where the alleged statement declaring him as leader of the party in Delta was made by the national publicity secretary.

“It is disheartening that Sobotie would seek to smear Morka, a fine and highly distinguished Deltan, who is serving the nation so admirably, with these contrived and baseless allegations. As the state chapter, we take immense pride in his accomplishments and unreservedly support his continued service as the national publicity secretary.

“We categorically condemn and dissociate ourselves from the petition. The allegations are baseless and constitute a blatant attempt to silence a courageous voice in defence of the party and President Bola Tinubu’s administration. We fear that Sobotie has been commissioned by external political interests to undermine the effectiveness of the office of national publicity secretary.

“We wish to express full faith and confidence in Morka’s leadership, service and commitment to our party’s ideals. Morka has acted and continues to act with extreme decorum and professionalism in the discharge of the functions of his office.

“We urge the NWC to discountenance the petition as frivolous and reckless and dismiss it in its entirety. Sobotie’s actions are a clear violation of Section 21.2v of the party’s constitution, which explicitly prohibits members from providing false information to any party organ and engaging in unauthorised publicity of party disputes without exhausting all internal avenues for settlement or redress. This blatant disregard for party procedures and protocols is unacceptable and warrants immediate suspension,” the state exco noted.

Demanding Sobotie’s suspension, the letter read: “By releasing the petition to the public, Sobotie has not only violated the constitution but also undermined the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms. This behaviour is unbecoming of a party leader and demonstrates a lack of commitment to upholding the party’s principles and procedures.

“We urge the party leadership to take immediate action to address this violation and ensure that Sobotie is held accountable for his actions. We would also like to use this medium to bring to the attention of the NWC that Sobotie’s leadership as state chairman has been an unmitigated disaster. He has consistently proved incapable of discharging the functions of his office. He has been absent without explanation for prolonged periods, foisting a vacuum of leadership that has enabled impostors and unauthorised elements to undermine the party’s institutional integrity and effective functioning,” the demanded.