Victor Ochei, former speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, has formally resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress, bringing to a close a decade of service to the ruling party. The decision comes just one day after former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege announced his own departure, signaling what appears to be a significant fracture within the party’s Delta State structure. Ochei’s exit, announced through a statement by his media aide Austin Edemodu, marks another blow to the APC’s efforts to maintain unity and momentum in the oil-rich Niger Delta region.
The timing of Ochei’s resignation is particularly telling. Recent weeks had seen growing pressure from party stakeholders and supporters urging him to contest either the Delta North Senatorial Primary Election or the State Governorship Primary Election. Yet Ochei remained conuously silent on these calls, and the primaries concluded without his participation. Following those elections, some supporters intensified their appeals, this time encouraging him to defect to another political platform where he might pursue his ambitions. The Wednesday resignations of Senator Omo-Agege and Rukevwe Ugwumba, a key ally, appear to have provided the catalyst for Ochei’s decision.
In his resignation statement, Ochei emphasized that his choice followed deep reflection and extensive consultations with political associates and supporters. He recounted joining the APC in 2016 with genuine conviction in the party’s vision, noting his significant contributions to building its grassroots infrastructure across Delta State. According to the former lawmaker, who also served as Executive Director at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, he worked tirelessly alongside committed party faithful to expand the party’s reach, deepen its structures, and mobilize community support. His involvement predated that of many current party leaders, he pointed out, underscoring his long commitment to leadership principles, grassroots development, and public service.
Ochei took pains to characterize his departure as forward looking rather than acrimonious. He stated that leadership and political institutions must evolve to reflect fairness, inclusion, and the genuine aspirations of the people. His decision to chart a new course, he insisted, stemmed from a recognition of the need for broader political growth and a continuation of his convictions, not from bitterness or resentment. He expressed pride in the progress achieved through years of engagement focused on youth inclusion, women’s participation, and democratic development. Throughout his statement, he maintained a tone of gratitude toward supporters and stakeholders who stood by him during his APC tenure.
The wave of resignations points to deeper tensions within the Delta State chapter of the APC. Ugwumba, in her own resignation statement, cited concerns about unfair distribution of political rewards, arguing that those who labored to build the party have been denied proper recognition. She specifically highlighted what she described as chaotic senate primaries that undermined the interests of the Urhobo people, one of the major ethnic groups in Delta State. These complaints suggest internal conflicts over power sharing, ethnic representation, and the spoils of political office have reached a breaking point for several prominent party figures.
As Ochei embarks on what he describes as a new political journey, the implications for Delta State politics and the APC’s fortunes in the region remain uncertain. His departure, combined with those of Omo-Agege and Ugwumba, deprives the party of experienced leaders with significant grassroots networks and political capital. Whether these defections represent isolated grievances or signal a broader realignment ahead of upcoming elections will become clearer in coming weeks. For now, Ochei has called on his associates to remain peaceful and committed to democratic ideals while he moves forward with what he termed hope, renewed determination, and faith in the future of Delta State and Nigeria.
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