The aftermath of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections in Delta State has triggered one of the fiercest debates in the state’s political history, with critics accusing powerful political families of tightening their grip on the party and turning elective offices into a form of political inheritance, MONDAY OSAYANDE reports.
What began as a routine primary election has evolved into a broader conversation about democracy, succession politics, political godfatherism, and the future of youth participation in governance.
The controversy has also coincided with a wave of defections by prominent party figures, including former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly Victor Ochei, former adviser to the governor on health, Prof. Rukevwe Ugwumba, and others – a development many observers believe have exposed deep cracks within the ruling party.
For many political stakeholders, the outcome of the APC primaries has reinforced fears that Delta politics is increasingly being dominated by a small circle of influential families, particularly those linked to former governors who have remained major power brokers in the state long after leaving office.
At the centre of the debate are three former governors, James Ibori, Emmanuel Uduaghan, and Ifeanyi Okowa, whose political influence continues to shape the state’s electoral landscape.
Ibori served as governor of Delta State from 1999 to 2007. Uduaghan served until 2015, and then Okowa led the state from 2015 to 2023.
All three former governors are political allies. Ibori and Uduaghan are cousins, while Okowa is widely regarded as Ibori’s close ally.
Party stakeholders note that the primary elections produced outcomes favourable to members of their families.
Among those who emerged from the APC primaries are Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, daughter of James Ibori, for the House of Representatives; Orode Uduaghan, daughter of Emmanuel Uduaghan, for the Delta State House of Assembly; and Marilyn Okowa-Daramola, daughter of former Governor Okowa, who also secured a House of Assembly ticket.
The development has fuelled allegations that political power in Delta State is increasingly being concentrated within a handful of families, a claim that has generated widespread reactions across the state.
Aggrieved party members argued that while the daughters of former governors are constitutionally qualified to seek public office, the circumstances surrounding their emergence have raised concerns about fairness, internal democracy, and equal opportunities for other aspirants.
According to several stakeholders, the party’s consensus arrangements and direct primary processes appeared to favour candidates with established political family connections.
Many of those opposed to the outcome insist that democracy thrives when all contestants are given a level playing field and when leadership opportunities are not perceived as exclusive privileges reserved for politically connected families.
Their concerns intensified further with the emergence of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as the APC senatorial candidate for Delta North, alongside his daughter, Osazuwa, a close family relation, contesting other elective positions.
For critics, the development represents an unprecedented concentration of political influence in the district’s recent history.
Former Speaker Victor Ochei has emerged as one of the most vocal opponents of the political arrangement.
After leaving the APC and pursuing his senatorial ambition on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Ochei launched a stinging criticism of Okowa, accusing the former governor of attempting to establish a political dynasty in Delta North.
Ochei alleged that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori personally approached him with offers aimed at persuading him to withdraw from the Delta North senatorial contest in favour of Okowa.
According to him, he rejected the proposal because his decision to contest was driven by a desire to resist political impunity and challenge the concentration of power within one family.
The former Speaker argued that Delta North should not be subjected to a situation where a former governor, his daughter, and his in-law simultaneously occupy or seek key elective positions.
He further accused Okowa of continuing to exert significant influence over the state’s political structure despite leaving office, alleging that such influence limits political competition and discourages the emergence of new leaders.
Ochei maintained that political leadership should not become a family enterprise, insisting that the district is blessed with numerous competent individuals capable of serving in public office.
The former Speaker said: “God has blessed him (Okowa), councillor, chairman, commissioner, Secretary to the State Government, senator, governor, and even vice-presidential candidate. What else does he want? It is better to leave the stage when the ovation is loudest.”
His remarks have resonated with sections of the electorate who believe Delta politics requires fresh faces and broader participation. Across Delta North, opposition to the former governor’s senatorial ambition has continued to gather momentum.
The Coalition of Delta North Youths, a pan-senatorial movement representing various communities and youth groups, publicly opposed Okowa’s Senate bid during a press briefing in Agbor.
Leaders of the coalition, Benjamin Atagama-Ofochi, Kingsley Kainehi, and Vice President II of the Movement for the Emancipation of Anioma Nation, Mr Agholor Okoh, argued that the district should move beyond what they described as prolonged political dominance by one individual.
They contended that younger politicians deserve greater opportunities to participate in leadership and contribute to the district’s development.
Several community members interviewed expressed frustration over what they perceive as a recurring cycle of political succession among elite families.
However, some political observers view Okowa’s political actions as overly ambitious. One such critic, Samuel Okoh, said: “Is the Okowa family the only family in Ika Nation? Why should we serve a father, daughter, and in-law? This is not right. Our votes will speak for us during the election proper in 2027.”
Another woman, who pleaded anonymity, said: “During Okowa’s tenure as governor, we did not benefit from him. Rather, only his immediate family appeared to benefit. Now he wants us to vote for him again. Is he the only person in Ika land?
I would rather vote for a cripple than vote for Okowa.”
Some questioned why political offices repeatedly appear to rotate within a narrow circle, while many young, qualified individuals struggle to gain access to the political process.
Others argued that governance should focus on addressing unemployment, infrastructure deficits, healthcare challenges, and economic hardship rather than preserving political influence for future generations of established political actors.
One stakeholder described the situation as a form of political entitlement, warning that democracy could be weakened if public offices are increasingly viewed as family possessions rather than positions earned through open competition, while another critic likened the trend to a system where political influence is transferred from one generation to another as ordinary citizens remain excluded from decision-making processes.
Supporters of the affected candidates, however, strongly reject suggestions that their emergence amounts to political inheritance, stating unequivocally that every Nigerian citizen has a constitutional right to contest elections regardless of family background.
According to this school of thought, disqualifying individuals solely because their parents previously held public office would amount to discrimination and a violation of democratic principles. Supporters insist that the daughters of former governors should not be denied opportunities simply because of their lineage.
They maintain that women have long been underrepresented in Nigerian politics and that their participation should be encouraged rather than criticised.
Community leader Fidelis Obiazikwor is among those who believe the criticisms directed at Okowa are unfair, noting that the former governor’s record in office justifies continued public support.
He described Okowa as a transformational leader whose administration delivered road projects and infrastructure across the state’s three senatorial districts and 25 local government areas.
Obiazikwor argued that the former governor still possesses valuable experience that could benefit Delta North and Nigeria if elected to the Senate.
For him, the question should not be about family connections but about competence, performance, and the ability to deliver results.
The APC, however, has defended the outcome of its primaries. Reacting to the narratives, the State APC Publicity Secretary, Valentine Onojeghuo, dismissed allegations of dynasty politics, insisting that all qualified Nigerians have the constitutional right to seek elective office.
Onojeghuo told The Guardian that political participation cannot be restricted based on family background, saying the candidates emerged through the party’s processes and should not be denied opportunities because their fathers once served as governors.
Onojeghuo further argued that dissatisfied party members should reorganise politically and build stronger support ahead of future elections rather than blame successful candidates.
The APC spokesman also downplayed the significance of recent defections, insisting that the departure of prominent figures would not affect the party’s electoral strength or chances in future elections.
Despite the party’s defence, the controversy has continued to dominate political discussions across Delta State.
Analysts say the dispute underscores a growing tension between established political structures and an increasingly vocal population demanding broader participation in governance.
The debate has also highlighted competing visions for the future of Delta politics. One side argues that experience, political pedigree, and established leadership networks remain essential for effective governance, while the other insists that democracy can only flourish when opportunities are opened to a wider range of citizens rather than concentrated within a small group of influential families.
As preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections, the controversy surrounding the APC primaries may become one of the defining political issues in Delta State. Time will tell, as the narrative is still unfolding.
