Political tension has gripped the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State following the reported removal of Hon. Eyamu Edmund Akpotu as Supervisory Councillor for Health, amid allegations that his political loyalties may have influenced the decision.
The development, which reportedly occurred on Tuesday during the council’s executive meeting, has triggered concerns within the All Progressives Congress (APC), with party stakeholders questioning whether Akpotu’s political affiliations contributed to the decision.
Sources familiar with the meeting said Akpotu was present and participated in the opening proceedings, including the devotion and remarks by the chairman, before he was reportedly asked to leave the meeting.
The sources alleged that the chairman subsequently replaced him, although no official explanation had been issued by the council leadership as of the time of filing this report.
Political Loyalty Under Scrutiny
Unconfirmed allegations have linked Akpotu’s reported removal to his relationship with the immediate past council chairman, Chief Godwin Adode, and his perceived loyalty to the Ughelli North APC chairman, Olorogun Lucky Ofomukoro.
The allegations have raised questions about internal political alignments within the ruling party and whether loyalty to particular party leaders is becoming a factor in administrative decisions at the local government level.
An APC chieftain, who condemned the reported removal, questioned the circumstances surrounding the decision and expressed concern over its implications for party unity.
The chieftain’s reaction has further heightened political interest in the matter, coming amid existing alignments among party leaders and stakeholders in Ughelli North.
However, the alleged connection between Akpotu’s political relationships and his reported removal has not been independently established. The council chairman has also not publicly stated the reasons for the action.
Efforts to obtain the council chairman’s position through his media aide, Mr Efe Ekete, were unsuccessful, as he could not be reached for comments.
The council had also not issued an official statement clarifying whether Akpotu’s appointment had formally been terminated or explaining the circumstances surrounding his reported replacement.
The development has left questions about the status of the health supervisory councillor’s appointment unanswered, with political observers awaiting an official response from the council leadership.
While the allegations have fuelled concerns about internal party relations, the reasons for Akpotu’s reported removal remain unclear pending an official explanation from the relevant authorities.
