The All Progressives Congress in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State may be heading for a crisis as the Urhobo ethnic group has raised the alarm over what it termed systematic exclusion from political leadership in the council.

The development, which comes ahead of the party’s 2026 congresses, has sparked concerns that continued marginalisation could undermine party cohesion and trigger disaffection among grassroots members.

In a position paper jointly endorsed by prominent Urhobo stakeholders, the ethnic bloc accused the Itsekiri people of  key political offices since the advent of democracy in 1999, thereby creating an imbalance that contradicts the APC’s principles of equity and inclusiveness.

The document, signed by Olorogun Bernard Okumagba (Chairman), Chief Benson Obire (Vice Chairman), Hon. Mark Ikpuri, Olorogun Victor Okumagba, JP, Chief Isaac Emifoniye, JP, Chief Vincent Okudolor, JP (Secretary), Rev. Canon Dr. David Otofia, Chief Dr. Westham Adehor, JP, Chief Ann Gagiyovwin, JP, Chief Peter Agiri, JP, and several others, outlined a pattern of leadership concentration that had persisted for over two decades.

According to the leaders, the position of council chairman had remained in Itsekiri hands from 1998 till date, with office holders including Chief J.S. Otumara, Barrister Fred Enemighin, Chief Arthur Diden, Hon. Austin Uroye, Mofe Edema, Dr. Michael Tidi, and the incumbent, Comrade Weyinmi Agbateyiniro.

The situation, they noted, was replicated in the party structure, where the office of APC chairman had been occupied exclusively by Itsekiri politicians, including Dr. Meyiwa Erewa, Amah Agbajoh, Johnson Agbeyegbe, Hon. Richard Pessu, and Mario Owumi.

“The current leadership arrangement in Warri South is lopsided and excludes the Urhobo people, thereby negating the principles of equity, fairness, inclusiveness, and democratic governance which the APC represents,” the statement read in part.

The group, however, clarified that its agitation was not borne out of ethnic hostility but a genuine quest for justice, equity, and broader participation in governance.

Drawing parallels with neighbouring councils, the Urhobo stakeholders pointed to Warri South West and Warri North local government areas, where power-sharing agreements between ethnic groups had fostered stability and peaceful coexistence despite similar demographic compositions.

They warned that failure to address their concerns could destabilise the APC at the grassroots level, weaken internal cohesion, and erode confidence in the party’s commitment to inclusive politics.

While reaffirming their loyalty to the APC and their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s M.O.R.E Agenda, the Urhobo leaders maintained that equitable leadership distribution remained consistent with the ideals of inclusive governance and shared prosperity.

The statement concluded with an appeal to party elders and stakeholders to embrace fairness and power rotation as pathways to sustainable unity and democratic advancement within the party structure.

“Granting leadership opportunities to the Urhobo bloc will restore balance, deepen inclusiveness, and strengthen the APC at the grassroots,” the leaders declared.

As at press time, neither the Itsekiri leadership nor the state APC leadership had issued an official response to the demands.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​