By John Odhe, YENAGOA
As the African Democratic Congress (ADC) organised State congresses across the country on Saturday, the Bayelsa State Chapter of the party has reelected the existing 33-man state executive council to run the affairs of the party for another four years.
Adopting a consensus method for the electoral exercise at the party Secretariat in Yenagoa , the State capital, the members of congress retained Mr. Johnny Tovie Derek as the state chairman, Oyintonye Omukago, deputy chairman while Victor Eritei remains the State Secretary amongst 33 others.
In his acceptance speech the newly elected chairman, thanked all for finding him and his executive members worthy to continue serving them, describing the gesture as a greater responsibility that would not be taken for granted.
Denying division within the State chapter of the ADC, Derek maintained that Nigeria is bedeviled with serious leadership issues noting that it only which only broad-minded individuals and firm political ideologies could surmount.
He said that in Bayelsa State, they would open a new political chapter different from the usual, saying “with my leadership, we are ready to face it. “It is often said, there is one man that has a strategy, they call him Jagaban, but I want you to know that he is not the super strategist. The ADC has better strategies to take him out as the president and down to the state.
“With my leadership, in a couple of days the ADC is going to build out our policies and strategies for us to map the way forward to ensure that we take over the states.
“The African Democratic Congress, is strategically positioned to not only take over power, but to use the power for the benefit of the people. This is what makes us different and stands us out from every other political party.
He assured that many ADC members will clinch positions in the forthcoming general elections in the state and national assembly.
Also speaking, Tamkivie Eseimo, chairman, state congress planning committee, explained that the election was done for the smooth and continuous advancement of ADC in the state.
“We are believing strongly that by the grace of God, ADC will take the lead when we consider the leadership of our great country, Nigeria. Please, do the best you can do to support ADC to enable it succeed in its bid for the 2027 Nigeria General Elections.
” I am thanking each and every one of the members of the party who have worked tirelessly to see that this programme survived the light of the day.Whatever that will give a bad image or name to ADC, please, help us at your level, individually or collectively, to see that they are being put aside.
“This is a very simple one, because we have adopted a peaceful approach. An approach that is free from rancur. We have tried our best to see that all the interests come together in a consensus and agreed on those that will pilot the affairs of the party in the next four years.
“As such, we have no opposition out of the 33 positions. All have been streamlined to the effect that we have one candidate contesting for each position.
“By implication, we are upholding the provision of the party’s constitution, allowing us to adopt a consensus as a means in lieu of elections.
