By Mick Oseji, Asaba
A growing coalition of stakeholders within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State has called for equity, fairness, and inclusive representation in the selection of the party’s candidate for the Ika Federal Constituency seat ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a strongly worded position paper, the group urged party leaders to resist what it described as an emerging attempt to concentrate political opportunities within a single ward and zone, warning that such a move could undermine party unity and alienate loyal members across the constituency.
The position was conveyed through a statement by Steveson Ikpade, JP, on behalf of concerned stakeholders.
The stakeholders clarified that their position was not a personal attack on Engr. Jerry Ehiwario, whose public service contributions they acknowledged, but rather a principled appeal anchored on fairness and the need to broaden political participation within the party.
Central to their argument is the claim that Ward 5 in Ika South Local Government Area—Ehiwario’s ward—has already produced a former member of the House of Representatives in Hon. Doris Uboh.
Allowing the same ward to produce another federal legislator, they argued, would amount to a recycling of opportunities among a select few, to the detriment of other wards that have never enjoyed such representation.
The group also raised concerns over what it described as the disproportionate dominance of Zone 3 in the constituency’s political landscape.
According to them, the zone has produced two previous representatives—Hon. Cairo Ojugbo and Hon. Doris Uboh—making a fresh bid from the same axis difficult to justify under any fair zoning arrangement.
Beyond legislative representation, the stakeholders pointed to what they termed an over-concentration of key political appointments in Ward 5, including positions at both federal and state levels.
They argued that seeking the House of Representatives ticket in addition to these benefits sends the wrong signal to other loyal party members who have long worked without similar recognition.
They further questioned Ehiwario’s political trajectory, citing his movement from Commissioner for Energy to local government chairman, and now to a potential federal legislative bid within a short span. This pattern, they warned, raises concerns about continuity, commitment, and the ability to deliver sustained leadership.
While acknowledging his relative youth as an advantage, the group insisted that political growth should be gradual and inclusive, rather than accelerated at the expense of other experienced and loyal party faithful.
The stakeholders concluded with a call to APC leadership, delegates, and party members to prioritise justice and balance in the selection process, stressing that the long-term strength of the party depends on its ability to distribute opportunities fairly.
“Let equity guide this decision,” the statement read. “Let the APC ticket reflect the collective aspirations of the Ika people, not the dominance of a single ward or zone.”
