The Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has expressed satisfaction with the peaceful conduct and outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ward congresses held across the state.
Governor Diri spoke in his hometown of Sampou, headquarters of Sampou/Kalama Ward 6 in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area. He congratulated party delegates for unanimously electing new leadership in his ward and other wards in the state through a widely accepted consensus and affirmation process.
He stressed that politics should unite rather than divide the people, noting that its primary objective is to foster development in communities, local government areas, and the state at large. He added that the APC national leadership would be proud of the state for the hitch-free process that produced leaders across the wards.
The governor expressed confidence that the same peaceful process would be replicated during Saturday’s local government congress and subsequently at the state congress.
He also appreciated the party’s National Executive Council, the state caretaker committee led by Dr. Dennis Otiotio, other party leaders, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and security agencies for their roles in ensuring a peaceful exercise.
“We have all witnessed the affirmation by voice vote. This means that unanimously, the APC in my ward, Sampou/Kalama Ward 6 in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, has elected a new leadership. I thank all the leaders of this ward and everyone present here. Let us continue in this spirit of unity. When we are united, our development will be faster.
“What we are demonstrating in Bayelsa State is that we are one people as Ijaw and that we do not need to hate or harm ourselves because of politics. Politics should not disunite us; rather, it should bring us together because the goal is development for our communities, local government, and the state. I am confident that the party at the national level will be proud that we have elected our ward leaders without rancour,” he said.
The Sampou/Kalama Ward 6 congress was conducted by the State Congress Election Committee led by Chief Frank Omare. Mr. Shedrach Fetuga emerged as chairman alongside other ward executives.
In his acceptance speech, Mr. Fetuga thanked party members in the ward for finding him and his fellow executives worthy of the positions. He pledged to work towards ensuring the APC’s victory in the area during the 2027 general and governorship elections.
Among those who witnessed the exercise were the State Congress Screening Committee Chairman, Hon. Oghene Egoh, and the INEC observer, Engr. Prince Erasmus. The exercise was reported to have been peaceful.
