“We Won’t Accept Our Tormentors As Leaders” – Prince Collins Eselemo Blasts Oborevwori, Keyamo, Party Leadership

By Akpovoke Otiti

In a bold and unapologetic statement, Prince Collins Eselemo has raised serious concerns over what he describes as a calculated attempt to foist political tormentors upon loyal party faithful members in Delta State’s All Progressives Congress (APC).

He declared unequivocally that the entrance of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his “cohorts” into the APC fold without addressing their past atrocities would be resisted by all means necessary.

Eselemo lamented the personal injustice meted out to him by Governor Sheriff, who, according to him, seized his land for political reasons and compensated others while deliberately excluding him due to his affiliation with the APC.

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“The offence I committed was being an APC man. Until this injustice is addressed, there can be no acceptability of Sheriff and his men,” Eselemo fired.

Taking a swipe at those suggesting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu needs Sheriff Oborevwori to win elections in Delta, Eselemo dismissed such notions as baseless.

He emphasized that the freedom of association enshrined in the Constitution does not equate to automatic leadership or endorsement within the APC, especially by those with questionable antecedents.

The fiery politician also addressed the leadership crisis plaguing the Delta APC, accusing the likes of Festus Keyamo, SAN, and Senator Ovie Omo-Agege of dividing the party with their endless tussle for control.

“What we lack is a courageous, selfless, incorruptible leader with vision and integrity. None of the current gladiators possess these qualities,” he stated.

While acknowledging Ovie Omo-Agege’s efforts in party mobilization, Eselemo insisted that such strength should not translate into monopolizing leadership or opening the doors for embattled PDP defectors without scrutiny.

“Sheriff and his people can only be accepted conditionally,” he cautioned.

Particularly troubling for Eselemo was Keyamo’s recent declaration that wherever Sheriff goes, APC should follow.

“Does that mean Sheriff wants to lead me, Collins Eselemo, who fought for democracy alongside icons like Gani Fawehinmi, Femi Falana, and Alfred Rewane? Into corruption and betrayal? That’s unacceptable,” he thundered.

He accused the APC leadership in Delta of moral bankruptcy for considering unconditional integration of Sheriff Oborevwori, labeling the governor a political liability who should be made to clear the N450 million PDP debt and answer for past misdeeds before any welcome into APC.

Recalling the harrowing sacrifices of Nigeria’s pro-democracy activists during the Abacha years, Eselemo narrated how journalists and patriots like the Arise TV Chairman and himself were locked up in a cell for weeks and months.