The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State has announced significant restrictions for an enlarged stakeholder meeting scheduled for this Sunday at the Banquet Hall of the Delta State Government House in Asaba. Citing security reasons, the party's State Executive Committee has mandated that all invited guests must leave their mobile phones in their vehicles before proceeding for accreditation. This directive was communicated via a statement issued by the State Publicity Secretary of APC, Valentine Onojeghuo, who emphasized its strict adherence for security purposes.

Furthermore, Onojeghuo's statement detailed a specific accreditation process for the invited leaders. Accreditation will take place at the Third Gate of Government House, Asaba. Following successful accreditation, leaders will be conveyed in designated buses to the meeting venue at the Government House Banquet Hall. This structured approach aims to ensure a secure and organized event.

The meeting is expected to attract a host of prominent political figures. Notable attendees include the state’s party chairman, Elder Omeni Sobotie; former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa; the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Olorogun Festus Keyamo; founding leader of the party, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor; Senators Ede Dafinone, Joel Onowakpo-Thomas, and Ned Nwoko; Hon. Francis Waive, Executive Director, NEXIM Bank; and Hon. Stella Okotete, among others. Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, who now leads the party in the state following the recent defection of state PDP structures to the APC, is slated to preside over this crucial gathering.

This enlarged stakeholder meeting marks the first of its kind since Governor Oborevwori and all state structures of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) joined the APC several months ago. The political landscape surrounding the meeting is fraught with tension, as stakeholders are reportedly linking the recent suspension of some APC local government chairmen and exco members, including those from Ughelli North and Ethiope West, to a strategic move. This strategy is purportedly designed to prevent them from attending the meeting, ostensibly due to their perceived loyalty to the former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.

A discernible cold war has been ongoing between supporters of Omo-Agege and those aligned with Governor Oborevwori. This animosity stems from concerns that Omo-Agege, who was the APC governorship candidate in 2023, may be harboring ambitions for the 2027 gubernatorial race. Consequently, several key figures are anticipated to boycott the all-important meeting. Among those who may shun the event are Senator Ovie Omo-Agege himself, the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Felix Morka; House of Representatives member Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu; the chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Mr. Chiedu Ebie; former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon Monday Igbuya; former Deputy Governor, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro; and former Deputy Speaker, Hon Friday Osanebi.