The vast majority of the executive council members of the Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have faulted the call for the removal of the national publicity secretary of the party, Mr Felix Morka, from office.

The Deputy Chairman of the Delta APC State Executive Council (SEC), Chief Francis Obigbor, alongside 79 other members of the SEC, in a petition addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, described the call by the state chairman, Elder Omeni Sobotie, as not only uncalled for but also illegal.

The petition, dated 19th March 2025, was also addressed to the Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima, and the Senate President, Sen. Godswill Akpabio.

The Obigbor-led SEC claimed that since Sobotie’s emergence as chairman, he has failed to convene any meetings of the SEC and has failed to convene regular meetings of the SWC.

“Sobotie has continued to operate in a dictatorial fashion, unilaterally usurping the authority of the SEC and SWC without restraint. He has also perfected the use of proxies in a clear abdication of responsibility and betrayal of trust,” Obigbor, alongside the entire SEC members, alleged.

They unequivocally condemned Sobotie’s alleged cosy relationship with the Delta State government, controlled by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), adding that the illicit association has severely undermined the party’s integrity, exposing the entire SEC to political manipulation and sabotage.

The Obigbor-led SEC thereby lost confidence in Sobotie’s leadership as state chairman, just as they urged the Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje-led National Working Committee (NWC) to take immediate disciplinary action by suspending him from his position as state chairman.

The Obigbor-led SEC also described Sobotie’s petition addressed to Ganduje as grossly misconceived and petty, and reckless, in view of the fact that there is no reasonable or justifiable basis for Morka’s removal from office.

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The SEC contended that the call shows that Sobotie lacks an 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 National Working Committee (NWC).

The SEC noted that they cannot but wonder why Sobotie is morbidly opposed to any reference to Senator Omo-Agege as the leader of the party by Morka.

“Senator Omo-Agege, the former Deputy President of the 9th Senate, as the governorship candidate of the party in the 2023 general election, led the party to a record success, winning two senatorial seats, a House of Representatives seat, and seven House of Assembly seats. Clearly, Sobotie is committed to serving interests different from the interest of our party,” they noted.

“It is disheartening that Sobotie would seek to smear Barr. 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 NPS.”

The SEC thereby expressed their full faith and confidence in Morka’s leadership, service, and impeccable commitment to the party’s ideals, just as they urged 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 unauthorized 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,” they argued.

“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 behavior 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.”