Delta ex-speaker quits APC as crisis rocks ruling party

Victor Ochei, the former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, has resigned from Nigeria's ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). His departure, announced via a statement on his Facebook page, follows closely on the heels of former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege's exit from the party.

Sources close to Ochei suggest his defection stems from mounting pressure from supporters across Delta North and beyond, who are urging him to contest for a Senate seat. Many of these supporters have publicly expressed a desire for an alternative political option to former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and the incumbent Senator Ned Nwoko. Ochei's resignation and his subsequent political moves may be an attempt to honor this call.

The former speaker stated that he made the decision after "deep reflections and wide consultations." He joined the APC in 2016 with "sincerity of purpose" and worked to strengthen the party, expanding its grassroots base and mobilizing support. Ochei emphasized that his resignation was not driven by bitterness or personal grievances, but by a belief that political leadership must evolve to reflect "inclusion, mutual respect, fairness, and the aspirations of the people."

“

After deep reflections and wide consultations, I have taken the difficult but necessary decision to formally resign my membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and move on to continue my political journey elsewhere.

Ochei's resignation exacerbates the growing disquiet within the APC in Delta State. Omo-Agege, the party's 2023 governorship candidate and a prominent leader, had signed his resignation letter on May 22. He later announced his move to the National Democratic Congress to pursue his Senate ambition. PREMIUM TIMES had previously reported complaints from Senator Nwoko regarding recent political developments within the APC after he lost the Delta North senatorial district primary to Okowa.

Ochei has yet to announce which political party he intends to join. His resignation occurs amid significant political realignments in Delta State as the country looks ahead to the 2027 general elections.

“

political leadership must continue to evolve to reflect inclusion, mutual respect, fairness, and the aspirations of the people.