Leaders, elders and executives of Ward 08 of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ujevwu, Delta State, have passed a resolution to address its leadership crisis arising from alleged politics of exclusivity by Sir Richard Odibo and Chief John Olomu.

The resolution was reached at a meeting held at the Ward 08 APC Secretariat, where stakeholders deliberated on issues affecting unity, cohesion and the overall strength of the party in the ward.

According to the resolution, Odibo and Olomu were accused of arrogating leadership powers meant for the 20 nominated leaders of the ward to themselves. The leaders alleged that the duo single-handedly selected the Ward 08 Executive Committee, as well as Local Government Area (LGA) and state delegates, without due consultation with other stakeholders.

The committee further alleged that Odibo adopted a strategy of engaging only five or six leaders out of the 20 nominated, thereby sidelining the majority from critical decision-making processes — a move they said undermined inclusivity and weakened the ward’s collective strength.Another major grievance was Odibo’s alleged preference for using Chief Olomu to convene party meetings instead of the constitutionally recognised Ward 08 Chairman.

Leaders described this as a usurpation of the chairman’s authority and a violation of party procedures.The resolution also faulted the zoning of executive committee positions, allegedly carried out by Odibo and a few selected leaders without the involvement of 12 other recognised leaders and stakeholders, a development they said further entrenched division within the ward. In addition, Odibo was accused of seconding his personal assistant, Chief James Akpowa, to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to hold brief for him, with an alleged intention of aligning with Chief Great Ogboru in the near future.

Leaders interpreted this as divided loyalty and a threat to APC’s unity in Ward 08.The committee accused Odibo of deliberately promoting exclusivity and using Olomu as a front to weaken the resolve and unity of legacy APC members in the ward, warning that such actions could jeopardise the party’s fortunes ahead of the 2027 elections, including the prospects of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

Consequently, the leaders resolved to remove Odibo as a leader of Ward 08, citing his inability to win his polling unit in Egini as further justification. They also declared null and void all lists of executives and delegates allegedly submitted by Odibo and Olomu, insisting that such lists should not be recognised by APC at the local, state or national levels.

The resolution further stated that Odibo and Olomu should immediately cease parading themselves as leaders of Ward 08 APC. In their place, the committee passed a vote of confidence on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Oborevwori, and other recognised leaders including Sir S.K. Palama, Elegbete Moses Odibo, Bishop Fred K. Arutere Esq, and Chief Joseph Odjeni.