A former member of the House of Representatives, Warman Ogoriba, emerged as Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State following the party’s state congress held on Tuesday. The congress, described as unprecedented in the party’s history in the state, took place at the Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre in Yenagoa.
In his acceptance remarks, Ogoriba pledged that the newly constituted executive would collaborate with party stakeholders to preserve unity and secure electoral victories across the state. He commended Governor Douye Diri for providing inclusive leadership and fostering cohesion within the party.
Governor Diri, in his remarks, described the congress as peaceful and orderly, noting that the large turnout of delegates, leaders and members did not disrupt the smooth conduct of the exercise. He observed that the process marked a significant shift from previous congresses that had been characterised by disputes and unrest.
The governor thanked party members, national and state officials, and other stakeholders for contributing to the success of the exercise. He urged the newly elected state executive, which emerged through consensus, to regard themselves as standard-bearers of the party in Bayelsa. He emphasised that their allegiance should remain with the party and its leadership at both state and national levels rather than with individual sponsors.
He also encouraged them to work collectively to sustain peace and strengthen the party’s structure in the state. The outgoing caretaker committee chairman, Dennis Otiotio, applauded the governor’s leadership style, particularly his emphasis on consensus-building, which he said had reunited members. He congratulated Diri for reconciling previously aggrieved factions and ensuring that the ward, local government and state congresses concluded peacefully, with outcomes accepted by stakeholders.
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Otiotio expressed appreciation to members of the dissolved executive for their dedication and noted his satisfaction at seeing the APC firmly established in the state’s Government House. A former Deputy Governor governor, Rt. Hon. Peremobowei Ebebi, moved the motion for the dissolution of the previous executive committee, which was seconded by the Speaker of the State Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, seconded.
The state congress committee, chaired by Zakari Adimbo, supervised the exercise, while officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), led by the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Bayelsa, Mallam Isah Ehimeakhe, monitored the process.
Other members of the 37-member executive include Ayobegha James, Deputy Chairman, Japan Odoji, Secretary, Luke Demeoru, Assistant Secretary, Ebi Waribigha, Vice Chairman, East, Godbless Diriwari, Vice Chairman, Central, and Akwakwa B. Akwakwa, Vice Chairman, West,The executive also comprises Barr. Ebiotu Seleketimibi (Legal Adviser), Preye Prefa (Treasurer), Ishmael Okpo (Financial Secretary), Edigirisi Orubu (Organising Secretary), and James Inengite (Publicity Secretary), among others.
A legal practitioner, Mr Stanley Damabide, administered the oath of office to the chairman and members of the executive. Prominent party leaders attended the congress, including Senator Konbowei Benson, Senator Benson Agadaga, Hon. Oforji Oboku, Hon. Rodney Ambaiowei, members of the State Assembly, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, and former Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (retd), among others.
