Big Fight In Delta APC, As Ibori, Omo-Agege Battle For Control

Former Delta Governor, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, and immediate past Deputy Senate President, Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege are reportedly enmeshed in a Titanic battle for the control of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

The battle, which has snowballed into a cold war, has reportedly polarized the APC into factions, with each of the two gladiators insisting that the leadership of the party belongs to each of them.

Findings revealed that the state chairman of the party, Chief Omeni Sobotie, reportedly suffering from an unknown ailment, has been dragged into the tussle, with Ibori and Omo-Agege demanding loyalty from the chairman.

Sources claim that the battle for the control of party became intense after Ibori's daughter and member representing Ethiope federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Ehriatake Ibori-Suenu decamped from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) recently.

Although Omo-Agege was in Oghara, headquarters of Ethiope West Local Government of Delta State, ostensibly as leader of the APC to welcome her to the party, insiders maintain that all is not well with the party.

The former DSP, who was the governorship candidate of the APC in the 2023 general election in Delta, has reportedly been trying to maintain control of the party, insisting that all structures must subordinate to his leadership.

However, Ibori, who was responsible for Omo-Agege's entry into politics, was said to be using his relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to ensure full control of the party, a development said to have unsettled the former DSP and his supporters.

The former Governor, although still retaining his membership of the PDP, has reportedly leveraged on his relationship with the President to secure key appointments at the federal level for his allies, including his daughter, who was appointed chairman of the NDDC committee in the House of Representatives.

By contrast, Ibori has allegedly blocked Ovie Omo-Agege and his associates from getting federal appointments, insisting that he, and not DSP, should be the clearing house for appointments for APC members in APC.

A reliable source disclosed that the present crisis in Delta APC was caused by the rivalry between the two gladiators, but maintain that DSP may have lost out of the power game.

"Everyone knows President Tinubu does not like Omo-Agege. None of his men have been given appointments by Abuja. But we all know Chief Ibori is a friend of Aso Rock. He is always with the President. That's why we all want him as leader of our party.

"Omo-Agege has virtually lost out. But, he is still fighting to control the party. It will not work because all the major stakeholders and appointees at the federal level are not with him. I can tell you that DSP is a drowning man", disclosed the source.

It is yet to be known how the crisis in the APC would be resolved as Ibori was also said to have started moves to make Olorogun David Edevwie, a trusted ally, tHe next governorship candidate of the APC in the 2027 election, a development said to have infuriates Omo-Agege.