The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Delta State Chapter has called on the Delta State Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Chief Solomon Areyinka to immediately vacate the PDP Secretariat he is illegally occupying.
In a statement dated April 14, by its pro-FCT minister party publicity secretary Chief Kingsley Akpos Oturubo said the Secretariat was acquired in the name of the PDP with all documents bearing our Party’s name, adding that it was built long before the APC came into existence as a political Party, and that it is illegal for the APC to continue to occupy it.
The statement reads, “Currently, the Delta State Chapter of the APC has two State Secretariat: one at Anwai Road which is their State Office, while Chief Solomon Areyinka, the current State Chairman through the aid of the Delta State Government has illegally took over the PDP Secretariat, located at WAEC Road, Off Mariam Babangida Way, Asaba and adorned it with the APC colors and flags.
“Where in this Country does a political party have two Secretariat in a State? Chief Solomon Areyinka should know that he is now a member of the APC. The PDP Secretariat and all the assets of the Party did not defect with him to the APC. The Delta State Government that aided this illegal and unconstitutional occupation of the PDP property should know that the documents to that property are bearing PDP’s name and not the APC.
“There’s no evidence whatsoever that the Certificate of Occupancy has been revoked by the Government. And even if such a thing happened which we have not been informed about, there’s no evidence showing that APC has acquired that property. Assuming but not conceding that the APC has acquired the PDP Secretariat, there would have been no reason why the APC is still maintaining its Secretariat at Anwai Road in Asaba up till this moment.
“Chief Solomon Areyinka is not the Chairman of the PDP Delta State and so he cannot use property legally acquired by the PDP. Our Party has a State Chairman in the person of Dr. Peter Mrakpor, SAN together with his executive Committee. PDP will explore every legal avenue to reclaim our property.
“We’re not unaware that the State Government aided Areyinka to carry out this illegal occupation of the PDP Secretariat simply because of our National Leader, His Excellency, Chief Nyesome Wike’s pledge to reclaim our mandate through the ballot come 2027. The State Government is doing everything possible to dismantle the structures connected to the PDP National Leader.
“This is not acceptable to us because it is a clear sign of trying to use the Government’s instrument to intimate us which may create discord between the PDP and the APC. It is an invitation to anarchy. Nigerians and all security agencies should note this provocative action of the Delta State Government and the State APC Chairman.
“If there’s any break down of law and order in the State in respect of the illegal occupation of the PDP Secretariat by the APC then Chief Solomon Areyinka and the State Government should be held responsible. While we appeal to the PDP faithful across State to remain calm and law abiding in the face of the provocation, we want to send a strong note of warning to Solomon Areyinka and his irks to desist from their provocative action that can lead to break down of law and order in the State.
“Several parties exist within the Delta State and there has not been any time defecting individuals or groups of people exuded the right to take the laws into their hands by handing property belonging to party A to party B.
“This provocative action of the State Government is a clear sign that it wants to foist on Deltans with a one party system in the State by trying to silence the voice of the likely opposition Party. One party system is impossible in Delta State. The ruling Party and its government should be ready to entertain constructive criticism from the opposition PDP.
“Not only did the PDP State Secretariat have been illegally occupied, some of these persons who have decamped to the APC since April 2025 are still using the PDP bank accounts. We have already detailed the relevant anti-graft agencies to apprehend these fraudsters and make them cough out all that they have pilfered away from our treasury.
“The Delta State Chapter of the PDP under the able leadership of Dr. Peter Mrakpor, SAN has been strongly repositioned to reclaim our mandates at all levels. We know that those who ran away with our mandates have been jittery since the inauguration of the Mrakpor’s-led State Executive Committee of the PDP.
“These political merchants in spite of the goodwill of the PDP went to get a political cover in another political platform with the mandates freely given to them by the people of Delta State through our Party while still shamelessly holding sway the property of the PDP in their possession. We’re happy that the same Deltans who have the mandates are still with us at the grassroots. Deltans are hungry to return the mandates back to the PDP, the Party they have confidence in to execute social contract since 1999”, the statement added.