Bayelsa APC Holds Historic Congress as Warman Ogoriba Emerges Chairman: Otiotio Praises Diri’s Inclusive Leadership

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Bayelsa APC Holds Historic Congress as Warman Ogoriba Emerges Chairman: Otiotio Praises Diri’s Inclusive Leadership

By Dr. Odimientimi Agbedeyi
For GlobalEgberiTV Ofunama

In what political observers have described as a significant turning point in the internal democratic processes of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, the party on Tuesday conducted a peaceful and historic state congress that produced a new leadership for the party, with former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Warman Ogoriba, emerging as the state chairman.

The congress, held at the iconic Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre in Yenagoa, attracted a massive turnout of delegates, party leaders, and stakeholders from across the state. Yet, despite the large gathering and the political significance of the exercise, the event unfolded smoothly, peacefully, and without the rancour that had often characterized previous party congresses in the state.

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, who addressed party members at the congress, described the exercise as the first of its kind in the history of APC congresses in the state due to its peaceful conduct and the spirit of unity displayed by party members.

According to the governor, the congress marked a clear departure from earlier internal elections within the party that were frequently marred by disagreements, tensions, and factional disputes.

Governor Diri expressed deep gratitude to God, party leaders, delegates, national officials, and stakeholders whose efforts ensured the successful conduct of the congress. He emphasized that the emergence of the new executive through consensus reflected a renewed commitment to unity within the party.

He urged the newly elected executives to see themselves as torchbearers of the APC in Bayelsa State, stressing that their loyalty must first be to the party and its collective leadership rather than individual political patrons.

“You are now the torch bearers of the APC in Bayelsa State,” the governor said. “Work harmoniously with leaders and various caucuses across the state to unite us more as a people.”

Governor Diri further stressed that the party must operate as a unified political family going forward.

“The new APC in Bayelsa has no place for factions. Always consult and seek the face of God so as to build a virile and strong party. Today’s peaceful and successful state congress is a victory for the party,” he stated.

The governor also highlighted the growing political strength of the party in the state, noting that the APC currently enjoys a formidable structure that connects the state with the national political leadership.

“Your party is in power both at the national and state levels. The APC today is the party to beat in Bayelsa because we have a formidable structure of governance made up of political gladiators from the state to the national level,” he added.

Governor Diri called on party members to maintain unity and resolve disputes internally, reminding them that disagreements are natural in political families but must be managed constructively.

“Let Bayelsa be the reference point in the 36 states of the federation,” he said.

Earlier in his welcome address, the outgoing chairman of the APC caretaker committee in the state, Dr. Dennis Otiotio, commended Governor Diri for what he described as a remarkable leadership style that emphasizes consultation, consensus building, and unity.

Otiotio noted that the governor’s approach to leadership had helped reconcile previously warring factions within the party and restored stability to the party structure in the state.

He also congratulated the governor for ensuring that the ward, local government, and state congresses were conducted peacefully with outcomes widely accepted by party members.

According to him, the unity currently being experienced in the party is the result of deliberate reconciliation efforts spearheaded by the governor and other key leaders.

He expressed appreciation to members of the outgoing executive for their dedication and loyalty to the party throughout their tenure.

Otiotio further remarked that it was gratifying to witness the APC flag being flown proudly at the Government House, an indication of the party’s growing political relevance in the state.

A significant moment during the congress was the formal dissolution of the former executive council of the party. The motion for the dissolution was moved by former Deputy Governor of the state, Rt. Hon. Peremobowei Ebebi, and seconded by the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere.

Following the dissolution, the newly elected executive council led by Hon. Warman Ogoriba was inaugurated.

In his acceptance remarks, Ogoriba assured party members that the new executive would prioritize unity, cooperation, and grassroots mobilization to strengthen the party ahead of future elections.

He pledged that the new leadership would work closely with stakeholders and party members across the state to sustain the unity already achieved within the APC.

Ogoriba also commended Governor Diri for what he described as inclusive leadership that has helped bring together diverse interests within the party.

The congress was supervised by the Chairman of the APC State Congress Committee, Zakari Adimbo, alongside other members of the committee.

Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) monitored the exercise, including the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Bayelsa State, Mallam Isah Ehimeakhe, who was present with other officials of the electoral body.

The newly constituted 37-member executive committee includes:

  • Ayobegha James – Deputy Chairman

  • Barr. Japan Odoji – Secretary

  • Luke Demeoru – Assistant Secretary

  • Ebi Waribigha – Vice Chairman (East)

  • Godbless Diriwari – Vice Chairman (Central)

  • Akwakwa B. Akwakwa – Vice Chairman (West)

  • Barr. Ebiotu Seleketimibi – Legal Adviser

  • Preye Prefa – Treasurer

  • Ishmael Okpo – Financial Secretary

  • Edigirisi Orubu – Organising Secretary

  • James Inengite – Publicity Secretary

Other members of the executive were also sworn in during the ceremony.

The oath of office for the new chairman and members of the executive committee was administered by legal practitioner Mr. Stanley Damabide.

The congress attracted several prominent political figures from Bayelsa State and beyond, reflecting the importance attached to the event.

Among those in attendance were Senator Konbowei Benson, Senator Benson Agadaga, Hon. Oforji Oboku, Hon. Rodney Ambaiowei, and members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly.

Also present were the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, and former Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (rtd.), among other party leaders and stakeholders.

Political analysts believe the peaceful conduct of the congress signals a new chapter for the APC in Bayelsa State, as party leaders continue efforts to consolidate unity and strengthen their political base ahead of future electoral contests.

Source: Office of the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State

Tags

Bayelsa APC Congress, Warman Ogoriba, Douye Diri, Bayelsa Politics, APC Bayelsa, Dennis Otiotio, Nigerian Politics, Yenagoa Politics

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