A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Delta State, Dr. Tonye Timi, has called on the party’s leadership in the state to unite and rebuild in 2025 or risk political irrelevance.
Timi, a former member of the Delta State House of Assembly representing Patani Constituency, made the statement during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Thursday. He stressed that achieving electoral success in 2025 would require deliberate efforts and not mere wishful thinking.
He warned against waiting for an external solution, saying, “The proverbial ‘Godot’ will not arrive to fix our political system. Instead, the responsibility falls on individuals and parties to organise, strategise, and act. This realisation is especially urgent for the Delta chapter of the APC, a party in opposition that seems lost in chaos, acrimony, and disunity.”
Dr. Timi observed that the infighting within the APC leadership in Delta State undermines the party’s ability to challenge the well-established Peoples Democratic Party.
He stated, “The Delta APC, like any opposition party, has a choice to continue on its current path of disarray or rebuild itself as a formidable political force. Waiting for external salvation is futile. The task of organising, strategising, and acting rests with party members. In politics, power is never handed over; it is contested and won.
“If the Delta APC fails to unite and refocus, it risks permanent irrelevance. The time to build is now. It is my ardent belief that APC needs repentance, forgiveness, and restoration.”
Timi emphasised that political parties are essential to the functioning of democracy as they provide platforms for candidates, articulate policies, and facilitate decision-making. He explained that without unity and a clear purpose, a political party loses its influence and essence.
“Members of a party are united by shared goals and ideologies, working collectively to influence governance and policy. It is unlike pressure groups that advocate for specific causes. Political parties aim for comprehensive control of the government,” he said.
He also highlighted the indispensable role of opposition parties in a democracy. “Opposition parties hold the government accountable, critique policies, and propose alternatives. Their role is not merely to oppose but to enrich democratic governance by preventing authoritarianism and preparing for future leadership. An effective opposition ensures transparency, fosters public debate, and offers voters a credible alternative.”
Timi urged the APC in Delta State to prioritise unity and focus on the broader goal of building a viable political platform to challenge the PDP in upcoming elections. “The time to act is now,” he added, warning that the party’s continued disunity could render it irrelevant in the state’s political landscape.
