A Stumbling Block in the APC's Delta Expansion: Defector Registration Woes
Delta APC Faces Controversy as Registration of PDP Defectors Elevates Tension
There's a snag in the All Progressives Congress (APC)'s grand expansion plan in Delta State, as some of its new members – former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) heavyweights – have faced resistance in the registration process.
This collection of trouble started due to these newbies' reluctance to part ways officially with the PDP, leaving APC leaders in a pickle over what next steps to take.
Insider chats with Vanguard revealed chaotic registration proceedings across Delta State, muddled by disagreements and initial confusion. Ward leaders have been stubborn in registering the defectors, demanding they present evidence of their resignation from the PDP before acceptance.
This stubbornness has led to delays in the registration process, with many aspirants left out of the APC fold, unable to join the party without resignation proof from the PDP.
To get things moving, the APC state leadership stepped in, instructing ward and local government leaders to overlook the defectors' failure to submit resignation letters. The state APC's eagerness to embrace these new members signifies a willingness to set aside procedural inconsistencies.
Valentine Onojeghuo, the APC state publicity secretary, cleared the air, telling local government and ward chairmen to register the defectors without preconditions. This includes bypassing the demand for resignation letters from the PDP.
However, the relationship between the old PDP members and the new APC recruits remains frosty, with old-timers wary of welcoming their new colleagues. The tension persists, and there's a clear sense of unease on both sides. As one source summed it up, "This coming together is not smooth yet – the old members are afraid of the new ones, while the new ones are watching with caution."
In response to this standoff, the APC state leadership has been determined to streamline the registration process, ensuring no bureaucratic hurdles, red tape, or procedural bottlenecks hinder the registration and integration of these newcomers.
Meanwhile, loyal PDP members, who fought against the defections of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, have vowed to rebuild the party in the state. Over the weekend, local government chapters and ward members of the PDP, who rejected the leadership change, gathered to strategize on reviving the party's fortunes.
These die-hard PDP supporters seem resolved to remain united in the face of the defections and have expressed reservations about integrating the defectors into their ranks.
Enrichment Data:
- Overall: The APC's grand expansion in Delta State has hit a roadblock, with some new members facing resistance in registering, primarily due to their failure to officially resign from the PDP. This challenge is causing tension between the old and new members [1][2].
- Implications for the Parties Involved: The defectors' resistance to registering could potentially weaken the APC's efforts to consolidate its influence in Delta State [3]. Meanwhile, the PDP could see the defections as an opportunity to regroup and strengthen, preparing for future electoral battles [4].
- Public Perception and Support: The public's perception of these defections and the APC's handling of the registration process could impact voter support in the upcoming elections [5]. A smooth integration process could boost APC's image and garner more support, while difficulties could harm the party's chances.
- The registration woes faced by new All Progressives Congress (APC) members, primarily former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) heavyweights, threaten the party's ambitious expansion plan in Nigeria's Delta State.
- The contentious issue stems from the defectors' reluctance to formally sever ties with the PDP, causing APC leaders to grapple with how to proceed, leading to chaotic registrations across the state.
- In a bid to resolve the impasse, the APC state leadership has urged ward and local government leaders to overlook the defectors' lack of PDP resignation letters, signifying their determination to bypass procedural complications for the sake of a seamless integration.
- political tension still pervades the relationship between the old PDP members and the new APC recruits, with lingering apprehension and mistrust persisting between them.
- Concurrently, die-hard PDP supporters remain steadfast in their resolve to reorganize and strengthen their party in the face of the defections, expressing reservations about welcoming the defectors back into the fold.
