By Sunday Apah
A decisive breakthrough has been achieved in the sustained drive to fortify cohesion within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State. Hon. Prince Michael Diden, widely known as Ejele, has formally discontinued the lawsuit he filed against Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas and has declared his unequivocal support for the Senator and the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This development emerged after a high-stakes reconciliation meeting between Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, who represents the Delta South Senatorial District, and Hon. Diden at the latter’s residence.
The encounter has been widely hailed as a pivotal advance toward lasting peace, internal solidarity and revitalised unity within the APC ranks in Delta South.
A formidable delegation attended the meeting, including the Delta South Senatorial Chairman of the APC, Prince Emmam Amgbaduba; the Chief of Staff to the Delta State Government, Hon. Prince Johnson Erijo; the chairmen of the eight local government areas that constitute Delta South; and other influential party leaders and stakeholders.
Marked by an atmosphere of celebration, mutual warmth and genuine camaraderie, the gathering was deliberately convened to entrench durable harmony, reinforce organisational cohesion and consolidate the party’s support base in preparation for the 2027 polls.
At the conclusion of the discussions, Hon. Diden publicly announced the withdrawal of his legal action against Senator Joel-Onowakpo.
He further pledged that he and his followers would work resolutely alongside the Senator to deliver an emphatic victory for the APC across Delta South and the entire state.
Observers anticipate that this reconciliation will significantly fortify the party’s political architecture in the senatorial district and sharpen its readiness for the approaching presidential, national and state elections.
Responding to the breakthrough, Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas conveyed deep gratitude to the leaders and stakeholders who facilitated the rapprochement.
He stressed that the restored unity would invigorate the APC and equip the party to secure overwhelming victories for all its candidates.
The Senator specifically lauded the Delta State Governor and APC leader in the state, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for what he characterised as exceptional leadership, sagacity and an unwavering commitment to party unity.
He stated: “First, I want to give special and heartfelt appreciation to our leader in Delta State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, the Executive Governor of Delta State.
“His Excellency has demonstrated uncommon leadership, wisdom and large-heartedness in uniting the APC family in Delta State. This peace we have achieved today is a reflection of his fatherly role and his genuine desire to build one strong, united APC that will deliver for all our candidates.”
Senator Joel-Onowakpo also commended Hon. Diden for his sportsmanship, maturity and dedication to the party’s advancement, describing the decision to prioritise the collective interest of the APC over personal considerations as profoundly admirable.
“I assure him that he and his supporters will be fully integrated and respected. Together as one formidable family, we will work to deliver all our candidates in the forthcoming elections,” the Senator added.
