By John Ovie
History was made on Tuesday in Bayelsa state as the governor, Senator Douye Diri over saw the first state Congress under his new political party, the All progressives Congress (APC).
Governor Diri defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC late last year, citing unending internal wrangling in the in the PDP where he had secured a second term mandate.
The Bayelsa state congress is termed historic by political eggheads not just because it was the first conducted by governor Diri in a new party but it also heralded a major shift as it regards political structures of the APC in the state.
Before now, the political structure of the APC in Bayelsa state was in firm grip of Chief Timipre Sylva, a former governor and immediate past Minister of state for Petroleum Resources.
During the period under review, Sylva decided who bears which flag of the party in any part of the state.
He made sure that his brother and strong political ally, Dr. Dennis Otiotio remained the party state chairman and was faithfully doing the bidding of his political master.
In 2019, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, a then governorship aspirant, was shocked beyond his imagination when Sylva turned the political table against him and picked Chief David Lyon, a political neophyte, as the APC governorship flag bearer.
That event created a strong political enmity between Sylva and Lokpobiri, resulting in two factions of the APC and the state until the defection of Governor Diri to the APC.
Although Bayelsans overwhelmingly voted Lyon against governor Seriake Dickson’s candidate, Senator Douye Diri of the PDP, the Supreme Court later upturned Lyon’s victory and returned Diri as the governor based on irregularities in David Lyon’s running mate, Biobarakuma Degi’s credentials.
With the emergence of Warman Ogoriba as the new chairman of the APC in Bayelsa state, political observers believe that Chief Timipre Sylva’s age long control of party structures has finally grounded especially now that the former governor is faced with allegation of financing a failed military coup to topple President Bola Tinubu’s government.
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, described the conduct of the All Progressives Congress (APC) state congress as the first of its kind in the history of the party’s congresses in the state.
At the congress held at the Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa governor observed that despite the large turnout of delegates, party leaders and members, the exercise was rancour-free, peaceful and successful.
He also noted that it was a clear departure from previous elections of the party that were fraught with
conflicts and violence.
Governor Diri expressed gratitude to God, party members, state, and national officials and other stakeholders for the success recorded.
He charged the new state executive, which emerged by consensus, to see themselves as torch bearers of the party in the state.
He equally stated that as party executives, their loyalty should primarily be to the party and its leaders at the national and state levels rather than those who nominated them.
He urged them to work together to ensure the continued peace and progress of the state.
His words: “You are now the torch bearers of the APC in Bayelsa State. Work harmoniously with leaders and various caucuses across the state to unite us more as a people.
“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.
“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 all the political gladiators from the state to the national level.
“Let Bayelsa be the reference point in the 36 states of the federation. I am happy with the way APC members are coming together in the state. In every family, there is bound to be some misunderstanding but we must have a way of resolving disputes.”
In his welcome address, the outgone caretaker committee chairman of the state APC, Dr. Dennis Otiotio, praised Governor Diri’s leadership style, particularly for building consensus across board, which he noted had brought everyone together as one family.
Dr. Otiotio also congratulated the governor for reconciling all warring factions within the party as well as ensured a unified, peaceful and successful ward, local government and state congresses, which outcomes were accepted by all.
He thanked members of the outgone executive for remaining committed to the success of the party, noting that today, he was delighted to see APC flag being flown at the Government House.
A former deputy governor of the state, Rt. Hon. Peremobowei Ebebi, moved the motion for the dissolution of the former Exco while Speaker of the State Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, seconded the motion.
In his response, the new chairman of the party, Hon. Warman Ogoriba, a former House of Reps member, assured that the new Exco would work with other members of the APC to sustain its unity in order to win all elections in the state.
Ogoriba commended Governor Diri for his inclusive leadership and for unifying the party.
Chairman of the APC state congress committee, Zakari Adimbo, and other members of the committee, supervised the process, which was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mallam Isah Ehimeakhe, and other officials of the electoral body.
Others in the 37-member new Exco include Ayobegha James (Deputy Chairman), Barr. Japan Odoji (Secretary), Luke Demeoru (Assistant Secretary), Ebi Waribigha (Vice Chairman (East), Godbless Diriwari (Vice Chairman (Central), and Akwakwa B. Akwakwa (Vice Chairman (West).
It also includes Legal Adviser, Barr. Ebiotu Seleketimibi, Treasurer, Preye Prefa, Financial Secretary, Ishmael Okpo, Organising Secretary, Edigirisi Orubu and Publicity Secretary, James Inengite among others.
A legal practitioner, Mr. Stanley Damabide, administered the oath of office on the new chairman and other members of the executive.
In attendance at the congress were leaders of the party, including Senator Konbowei Benson, Senator Benson Agadaga, Hon. Oforji Oboku, Hon. Rodney Ambaiowei and state lawmakers.
Also present were the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, former deputy governor of the state, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah among others.
