…As party elects 24 delegates by voice votes
From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa state had a peaceful congress yesterday, to elect 24 delegates from the eight local government areas of the state for the party’s non-elective National Convention. Investigations revealed that the delegates were selected through affirmation following consensus by all the local government chapters of the party.
Leaders of the party had meet in Abuja and in Yenagoa and resolved to have a peaceful congress to demonstrate the unity and stability of the party. At the party secretariat along Melford Okilo, Yenagoa, party faithful in a peaceful manner affirmed in voice votes the nominees presented to the congress committee.
The Secretary of the committee, Mrs. Mildred Ezoh, who came from the National Secretariat of the party, said the congress was either through elections or affirmation as recommended by the constitution of the party. She said the committee’s job was simplified by the decision of the party members in the state to adopt affirmation.
“We came from Abuja for this exercise and we have done what we are supposed to do. It is either by election or affirmation. I have been directed to conduct this election”, she said.
The state Chairman of the party, Chief Tiwe Oruminighe, described the exercise as peaceful and devoid of rancour. He explained that the leadership of the party at the local government areas consulted widely with all the stakeholders before submitting their lists adding that they were required to present only three delegates from each council.
He said the exercise was devoid of crisis because the consultations that produced the lists were far-reaching. Apart from the 24 delegates, he said the state had other statutory delegates that would participate in the convention of the party.
“Today is our local government delegate congress. The exercise was smooth. We had no hitches. The only place where we had small disagreement was in Ekeremor. But the disagreement was resolved,” Oruminighe said.
Twelve officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from the Yenagoa office of the commission were at the party secretariat to monitor the congress.