Tensions are mounting within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State following a formal protest by the Warri Urhobo APC Leadership Council over the composition of invitees to an upcoming congress leadership meeting.

In a letter dated February 13, 2026, and addressed to the Delta State Chairman of the party, the group expressed “deep concern and dissatisfaction” over what it described as a lack of inclusivity, balance and transparency in the arrangements for the Warri South Local Government Congress Leadership meeting scheduled for February 14, 2026.

The protest centres on the actions of the outgoing Warri South APC Chairman, Mr. Mario Owumi. According to the Urhobo leadership bloc, the Delta State party hierarchy had directed all outgoing local government party chairmen to consult widely and jointly determine the modalities for the forthcoming congress and the election of new LGA executives.

However, the Warri Urhobo APC Leadership Council alleged that Mr. Owumi unilaterally compiled and circulated invitations to selected leaders via text messages from his personal phone, without consultation or review by key stakeholders within the LGA.

The group further claimed that requests to review the full list of invitees were declined, describing the process as opaque and inconsistent with the State Party’s directive. They argued that the approach undermines the principle of equal representation and risks creating ethnic imbalance within the party’s local structure.

Warri South LGA, a politically significant and ethnically diverse area in Delta State, is home to both Urhobo and Itsekiri communities, whose cooperation has historically played a crucial role in the APC’s grassroots mobilization and electoral performance.

In their letter, signed by Olorogun Bernard Okumagba (Chairman), Hon. Chief Benson Obire (Vice Chairman), Chief Vincent Okudolor (Secretary), and several other prominent leaders, the Urhobo bloc called on the State Party Chairman to urgently intervene.

Specifically, they requested that the party leadership clearly specify and enforce equal representation of Urhobo and Itsekiri leaders at the meeting, in line with the earlier directive on fairness and inclusiveness. They also urged the State Chairman to “call the outgoing Warri South LGA Party Chairman to order” to ensure proper consultation and transparency ahead of the congress and subsequent election of a new executive committee.

The group warned that anything short of equal representation and a prior unveiling of the full list of invitees could compel them to “take further decisions,” suggesting that internal cohesion within the party in Warri South could be at risk if the issue remains unresolved.

As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official response from the Warri South APC Chairman or the Delta State APC leadership.

The development comes at a critical time for the APC in Delta State, as local government congresses are widely seen as foundational to party restructuring, grassroots consolidation, and preparations for future electoral contests.

Political observers note that how the party manages internal grievances in ethnically sensitive areas like Warri South could significantly shape its unity, public image, and electoral prospects in the state.