By Philip Jeremiah Eke
Warman Ogoriba, from Odi in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State was elected through a consensus in line with the Electoral Act 2026 at the Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre, Yenagoa.
The other 35 positions on the State Executive Council were also elected through a consensus, as agreed by all party stakeholders.
Ogoriba, in his post-victory remarks, commended Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, for his peaceful disposition, which has created a conducive atmosphere for the APC to have a hitch-free congress.
According to him, the state executive is going to work to ensure that the peace that has returned to the party is sustained.
He allayed fears that the APC would be enveloped in crisis after the forthcoming primaries of the party, stressing that the party executive would emphasise the peaceful conduct of the primaries.
He dismissed fears of an opposition party in Bayelsa State, noting that the Bayelsa APC would deliver 100 percent for President Bola Tinubu in 2027 and for all the candidates of the party.
Diri, in his remarks, expressed delight with the presence of all stakeholders of the party at the state congress, declaring that the era of factions in Bayelsa APC has come to an end.
He noted that with the deputy governor, Dr Peter Akpe in Sagbama Local Government Area, David Lyon in Southern Ijaw, Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Sam Ogbuku in Ogbia, Minister of Petroleum, Senator Heinkein Lokpobiri in Ekeremor, Oforji Oboku in Yenagoa, the APC is the party to beat in Bayelsa State.
He expressed optimism that those yet to defect to the APC in the state would do so soon with the prevailing peace and strength of the party.
“We have the crème de la crème of politicians in Bayelsa now in the APC. The APC is now the party to beat. We have the whole structure of governance from the governor to the local government chairman, and that structure is intimidating. Now, we are not even talking of federal agencies. Their own structure alone is solid. I don’t know how the opposition is going to spend money in the state. By the time you add all these structures together, for me, it is to declare President Tinubu, President in 2027. There is nobody who can contest with him.’’
