From Paul Osuyi, Asaba

THE factional crisis rocking the Delta State chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has taken another dimension as unknown persons, yesterday, placed fetish objects at the secretary in Asaba where the State Executive Committee of the party was scheduled to hold a meeting.
Members of the party loyal to the state chairman, Prophet Jones Erue were stunned to discover that the gate to the venue was locked with a red padlock while a calabash containing eggs, white native chalk tied with red pieces of clothes was also at the front gate.
But they  went ahead with the meeting which was scheduled for 10am but had to commence at about 2pm after the fetish object was dispatched.
“When we came this morning for our meeting, we saw fetish object tied to the gate. But because we believe in the efficacy of science, we threw the fetish object away and proceeded to hold the meeting. We are not afraid of any such distractions because our mandate is authentic,” Acting Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Prince Michael Chinye said.
He said the meeting was called to address critical issues, adding that there was crisis within the APC fold in Delta State, and insisted that the Senator Spanner Okpozo-led Elders and Leaders’ Committee remained unconstitutional.
The party spokesman maintained that the unconstitutional Elders and Leaders’ Committee cannot dissolve a state executive committee recognised by the constitution of the party.
He said it was because of the illegal act of the unconstitutional Elders and Leaders’ Committee that led to the setting up of a disciplinary committee by the South-South leadership to investigate Okpozo and others.
He explained that all stakeholders were aware of the report of a fact finding committee from the national body to the effect that there was an on going case at the Court of Appeal as regards the state executive committee, hence there is nothing that can be done until the court case is over.
Chinye accused the ringleaders of the unconstitutional elders and leaders committee of allegedly sponsoring an attack at the party secretariat where valuable items including laptops, ATM cards, phones and money were stolen.
He charged APC loyalists in the state to work assiduously with the state executive committee led by Prophet Jones Erue, and commended the South-South leadership and the National Working Committee for affirming Erue as the chairman of the party in the state.