APC primaries reignite debate on hereditary governance in Delta

The just concluded primary elections conducted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, have reignited demand by the citizens for an end to hereditary governance in the state.

A king leaves office and hands over to the prince. That is what is happening now in Delta State where the daughters of the past state governors are bequeathed with political leadership positions. From James Ibori to Emmanuel Uduaghan and Ifeanyi Okowa, all past Delta governors from 1999 have fought for their children to inherit one political position or the other, observed the citizens.

Johnson Ebigidi, a senior citizen in the state even pointed to the issue that the son of the incumbent Governor Sheriff Oborevwori now enjoys major road and flyover construction contracts. The intention of these political leaders is to hold on to power. This is a situation where you ensure you bring in your people to rule with you, he said.

BusinessDay Sunday reports that Eriatake Suenu-Ibori, Orode Uduaghan and Marilyne Daramola-Okowa, daughters of James Ibori, Emmanuel Uduaghan and Ifeanyi Okowa respectively, the past governors of Delta State all won the All Progressives Congress (APC) tickets to represent their constituencies, reopening a sensitive but necessary question in Nigeria’s democracy on whether politics is gradually becoming hereditary.

Read also: Ned Nwoko faults APC Delta north primary, seeks appeal panel intervention

During the APC primaries held recently across Delta State, Suenu-Ibori, the serving senator representing Ethiope Federal Constituency in the National Assembly got the party’s return ticket to the NASS. Orode Uduaghan, who recently resigned her appointment as the Delta State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Community Support Service and Girl-Child Development emerged the consensus candidate of the party for Warri North Constituency at the Delta State House of Assembly.

Marilyne Daramola-Okowa on her part, was politically appointed into what many described as juicy position during her father’s tenure as the governor (2016-2023) – SA on Girl-Child. During the 2023 general election, she got her party’s ticket to represent her constituency, Ika North East Constituency in the state House of Assembly and was given a return ticket at the recently held primary election.

Daniel Chibuikem Anazia, a youth leader in the state and 2025 Mandela Washington Fellow, in his contribution, stated, “Across the country, political influence increasingly circulates within familiar circles, between former governors and their children, and within long-established political networks.

“In a democracy, every citizen, including the children of political leaders, has a constitutional right to participate in politics. If they are qualified, competent, and legitimately chosen through party processes, they have every right to contest and serve.”

He noted that the concern is not whether it is right, but whether the opportunity is truly open or quietly shaped by the influence, structure, and access.

Using developed countries as an instance, Anazia recalled that “In the United States, the Bush family produced two presidents while the Kennedy family became a political dynasty over generations. Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton also reflect how political networks can shape visibility and access. The difference, however, between Nigeria and the US is that they have stronger institutions, competitive systems, and public scrutiny to ensure that family name alone is not enough to guarantee power.”

For young Nigerians, Anazia noted that the lesson is strategic rather than emotional. “Political families often benefit from early exposure, networks, and structure but the response cannot be complaint. It must be preparation, building competence, credibility, grassroots influence, policy understanding, and long-term political capital.

Ultimately, the health of democracy depends not on excluding political families, but on expanding opportunity so that leadership remains open to the child of a governor, as well as the child of a teacher, trader, or artisan,” Anazia stated.

Benjamin Ofochi-Atagana, leader of Delta North Youths Coalition, at a recent protest against Senator Okowa, frowned that while former Governor Okowa himself pursues the Delta North senatorial seat, his daughter is simultaneously seeking to return to the Delta State House of Assembly. “This is not a coincidence; it is a calculated attempt to institutionalise a family dynasty in a democratic state while locking out thousands of qualified, patriotic and competent sons and daughters of Delta North who aspire to serve their people.

“In healthy democracies, political power circulates among citizens of diverse backgrounds, giving every community a sense of ownership over governance. The Coalition of Delta North Youths will not be silent accomplices to this travesty,” he stated.

Ochuko Edafe, a citizen and an entrepreneur, in his Facebook post, stated: “When leaders who once ruled Delta State for years suddenly return to take over the same political space again, while new voices and struggling grassroots politicians are pushed aside, then democracy is already under attack.”

Ebigidi posited that the intention of the political leaders is to hold on to power. “Look at former governor Okowa following the incumbent Gov Sheriff up and down. That he installed Oborevwori into office in 2023 does not mean he should not allow him to do his duty. They know what they are covering and why they are sticking to power. Initially, we thought things would have been better when Oborevwori came in but things are getting worse,” he observed.

For Ebigidi, the only solution to end hereditary governance in the state is for Deltans to get up and vote for a credible candidate in the 2027 general election.

“Forget about the party and vote for a credible person. For now, ensure that you truncate that hereditary governance that is taking root in Delta State.

“Nobody rejects honey when it is put into his mouth. So, when they give you money, collect it and vote for a credible person. The money they are spending was stolen from our collective resources, so why would you reject it?

“They may manipulate the results but we now have option – the NDC. We should begin to do publicity to get people sensitised not to join the band-wagon but to be ready to participate in the election process, vote. If Ned Nwoko and Okowa lose election, can’t another person win? An unknown figure can win election as long as he is credible and has the character.

“There’s bound to be elements who are bent on foisting power on people but the citizens should be able to know that they cannot be thinking about their stomach all the time. That’s why you see the need for several movements like City Boy Movement. What are they moving for? There is no way you take power from the oppressors by talking to them. You take over power by force.”

While noting that it is not going to be easy task to upturn what is at hand, he said that it was not just through election but for the electorate to vote and ensure their votes count and follow up until the result is announced.