A former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Victor Ochei, Esq., have resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Ochei announced his resignation in a letter to the leadership of the APC. 

The former lawmaker did not disclose if he is going to join any other political party as the 2027 general election draws near. 

In the resignation letter, Ochei stressed that he worked tirelessly for the APC long before many who currently occupy positions within the party.

The letter read, “My dear political associates, supporters, friends, and the good people of Delta State.
“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.

“In 2016, I joined the All Progressives Congress with sincerity of purpose and a strong belief in the vision and future of the party.

“Over the last ten years, I devoted myself wholeheartedly to building and strengthening the APC at all levels. Together with many committed party faithfuls, we expanded the party’s reach, deepened its structures, mobilized support across communities, and worked tirelessly to give the party relevance and visibility within our political environment. 
“Long before many who currently occupy positions within the party joined the political family they now belong to, I had already committed myself to the ideals of leadership, service, grassroots development, and the pursuit of a better society for our people. 

“I leave the party proud of the progress we made together. We nurtured relationships, built bridges across divides, encouraged participation among the youth and women, and contributed meaningfully to democratic growth and political engagement within our state and beyond.

“However, growth remains a constant necessity in every institution, political movement and human endeavour. Leadership must continually evolve to reflect inclusion, mutual respect, fairness, and the aspirations of the people. It is in recognition of this need for broader growth and the continuation of my political convictions that I have chosen to chart a new course.”

Ochei said his resignation from the APC is not borne out of “bitterness, resentment or hostility towards anyone”.

“Rather, it is inspired by my enduring commitment to service, progress, and the political future I envision for our people.

“I remain grateful to the many loyal supporters, leaders, stakeholders, and party members who stood with me throughout this journey. Your friendship, trust, and dedication will always be appreciated and remembered.

“As I move forward to continue my political journey from the APC, I do so with hope, renewed determination, and faith in the future. I urge all my supporters and associates to remain peaceful, focused, and committed to the democratic ideals we all share,” the letter concluded. 

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate for the 2027 election, Atiku Abubakar, on Thursday visited his major opponent in the primaries, former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi.

DAILY POST reports that Atiku defeated Amaechi in the recently concluded ADC presidential primary election.

Amaechi had prior to the official announcement of Atiku as winner of the election, rejected the outcome, saying the process was marred by irregularities.

However, Atiku had in his acceptance speech, called on Amaechi and other aggrieved ADC members to work with him.

Details of Thursday’s meeting have not been ascertained as the politicians are yet to address the press.

But it is believed that the move is part Atiku’s efforts to get Amaechi’s support for the presidential election.

A director of research at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Femi Otubanjo, has said the treatment of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, in the just concluded All Progressives Congress, APC, primary poses political danger to President Bola Tinubu.

Otubanjo stated this on Thursday while speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show programme, where he criticised the role being played by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in the political affairs of Rivers State and the All Progressives Congress, APC.

According to him, the handling of Fubara’s political crisis remains one of the most surprising developments in Nigeria’s political history. 

Otubanjo further argued that Wike, who is not a member of the APC, appears to be dictating political activities within the ruling party in Rivers State.

The research director warned that the current political arrangement in Rivers State could negatively affect Tinubu politically, insisting that Wike was pursuing his personal agenda rather than that of the president.

He said: “The treatment of Fubara must be one of the American wonders of Nigerian politics. Fubara has been badly treated. We have a situation in which Nyesom Wike who is not even in the APC is the one taking decision for the primary in the APC. I hope the tactical team of President Bola Tinubu is not sleeping.

“The reality is that what they have done is very dangerous for Tinubu. What has emerged in Rivers today is that Wike is pursing his own agenda, not Tinubu’s agenda in spite of PBAT and all of that combination.

“If Wike really wants to pursue Tinubu’s agenda, he must retain Fubara.”