Fresh political tremors are shaking the Delta State led All Progressives Congress (APC) and the party leadership as an impending cabinet reshuffle under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration is reportedly triggering a fierce internal crisis, this time between the old and new APC members.
At the heart of the controversy is a contentious 60:40 political appointment sharing formula, allegedly proposed by the PDPAPC faction which defected in mass movement to the original APC aligned with key federal figures.
The formula, insiders claim, would allocate 60% of prospective appointments to the new APC while leaving just 40% for old APC and party veterans in Delta State.
The proposal has sparked outrage, division, and accusations of betrayal, with some party stakeholders describing it as a blatant marginalization of local actors who have borne the brunt of opposition politics in the state for years.
“This is a slap in the face of the Delta APC structure,” said a visibly angered chieftain from Delta Central who asked not to be named.
“How can people who didn’t suffer with us during elections and who just joined us now claim the lion’s share of appointments? This is injustice disguised as strategy.”
Oborevwori’s Role Under Scrutiny
Although Governor Oborevwori hails from the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), his administration is closely watching the APC’s implosion, especially as it coincides with reports of an imminent cabinet reshuffle.
Sources within Government House suggest the governor may be looking to exploit the APC rift to consolidate cross-party loyalty, particularly ahead of future political realignments.
In a recent address before the State Assembly, Oborevwori maintained that “peace and inclusivity” remain his priorities.
Yet critics argue that his silence over the escalating ethnic and partisan disputes, including those linked to INEC’s controversial delineation in Warri, is a calculated political move.
“He is letting them burn from within,” said another insider.
“The APC is distracted by internal power games while the governor quietly recalibrates his cabinet. He’s three steps ahead.”
Ethnic Undercurrents Deepen Rift
The 60:40 split has also reignited ethnic suspicions within the party. APC members from the Itsekiri and Urhobo blocs allege that the formula disproportionately favors a select circle of politicians from Delta North, thereby aggravating longstanding ethnic imbalances in the state’s power dynamics.
“They’re trying to dominate the state’s political architecture through the back door,” said an Urhobo youth leader in Uvwie. “We won’t sit back and watch it happen.”
The crisis is further complicated by the backdrop of rising tension in Warri, where INEC’s recent ward delineation has set the Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo communities on edge.
Many fear the APC’s internal fracture may spill into broader political instability if not swiftly resolved.
Calls for Intervention
Senior party leaders at the national level are said to be monitoring the situation closely, with calls for a neutral arbitration committee to broker peace among the warring factions.
However, with each side digging in its heels, prospects for a resolution remain uncertain.
As the political temperature rises, pressure is also mounting on Governor Oborevwori to restructure his cabinet in a way that reflects a more balanced, competence-driven approach, rather than ethnic or partisan loyalty.
“This is a litmus test for the governor,” said a civil society advocate in Asaba.
“He can either use this moment to unify the state or to deepen existing divides.”
As of press time, neither the APC national leadership nor the Delta State Government has issued an official statement on the matter.
However, sources close to both camps hint that a major political shake-up is imminent between today Thursday 29 and 31 of this month.
WELL, THE GOVERNOR IS A WISE MAN A POLITICAL LEADER FROM THE GRASSROOTS. I BELIEVE IN HIS CREDIBILITY.