A political storm has erupted in the Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) after a controversial $50,000 donation, intended to promote unity, was allegedly misappropriated.
The funds were meant to serve as a symbolic “kola nut wedge” during an enlarged party meeting on Friday in Oleh, Isoko South Local Government Area, but the event has instead been marred by accusations of financial misconduct.
The meeting was meant to strengthen the party’s cohesion ahead of the 2027 general elections. However, party members are now reportedly angry and disillusioned, with internal sources warning that the scandal could damage the APC’s credibility.
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According to The Guardian, the crisis began when donations, including $30,000 from businessman Chief Matthew Tonlagha and other contributions of $10,000, $5,000, $4,000, and $2,000, were allegedly seized by a faction of the party’s leadership. In addition, over ₦200 million was reportedly raised in naira.
According to multiple insiders, the money—earmarked for a traditional gesture of goodwill—was not distributed fairly.
They claim the funds were instead cornered by a clique of APC leaders in collaboration with former members of the defunct Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) state executive from the senatorial district.
An anonymous former APC aspirant who attended the meeting described the situation as “broad daylight stealing.” The source lamented, “They hijacked the over $50,000 kola nut money that everybody was supposed to share from. Out of over N200 million raised, only N72 million was reportedly shared—just N9 million per local government area across the eight LGAs. Where did the rest go?”
Another party chieftain called the incident “shameful,” alleging, “The dollars were allegedly shared among the APC leadership and former PDP state executives from the district.”
The meeting was presided over by Delta State APC chairman Omeni Sobotie and attended by high-profile figures, including Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas and former Senator James Manager.
When contacted for a comment on the allegations, Sobotie simply replied, “I’m not aware,” without confirming or denying the claims.
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