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The Delta State Government has dismissed reports of crisis arising from the recent All Progressives Congress ward and local government congresses in the state, describing the exercise as peaceful, orderly and conducted in line with party guidelines.
Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, made the clarification during an appearance on “Politics Tonight” on TVC, where he maintained that allegations of widespread unrest were exaggerated and inconsistent with realities on ground.
Aniagwu stated that the congresses were held in compliance with directives issued at the National Executive Committee meeting of the All Progressives Congress in Abuja on December 19, where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu emphasized inclusiveness and unity within party structures nationwide.
According to him, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori aligned with the President’s directive by convening a stakeholders’ meeting at Government House, Asaba, alongside the state party chairman, urging leaders to ensure integration of both longstanding and newly admitted members of the party.
“The Governor made it clear that everybody must be carried along, those who were in the party before and those of us who joined later. That directive was taken back to the 25 local government areas for consultations at ward and council levels,” Aniagwu said.
He explained that following extensive consultations across the state, consensus arrangements were adopted in most areas to minimize conflict and promote cohesion. While acknowledging that political contests naturally generate personal interests and disagreements, he insisted that the overall conduct of the congresses in Delta remained peaceful.
“In politics, you will always have individuals pursuing personal interests. But largely, the congresses in Delta were peaceful. If anyone is alleging crisis, they should provide specifics,” he stated.
Responding to claims of threats and intimidation at one of the venues, including allegations of an assassination attempt on a female party member, Aniagwu dismissed the narrative as unfounded. He said the individual in question arrived at the venue in an armored vehicle accompanied by armed security personnel and did not step out of the vehicle.
“How do unarmed youths at the venue pose a threat to someone inside an armored vehicle with armed security escorts? There was no gunshot, no arrest made, and she did not even come down from the vehicle. So at what point did assassination come into the picture?” he queried.
Aniagwu further clarified that the congresses followed established party procedures, including the purchase of nomination forms, screening of aspirants, formal notification to the Independent National Electoral Commission, and the use of approved venues.
He criticized what he described as attempts to stage “parallel congresses,” arguing that any gathering conducted outside designated venues or without adherence to laid-down party processes could not be recognized as legitimate.
“If someone goes to his house and declares himself chairman without following party procedures, how do you call that a parallel arrangement?” he asked.
On the issue of party leadership in the state, Aniagwu maintained that the APC in Delta remains united under Governor Oborevwori. He noted that former Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, had publicly acknowledged the governor as leader of the party in the state.
He also cautioned against dragging former Governor James Ibori into APC internal affairs, stressing that he is not a member of the party.
“The governor is the leader of the APC in Delta. He is a consensus builder and a grassroots politician. He has also continued to deliver development across the 25 local government areas,” Aniagwu said.
The commissioner added that despite ongoing political activities, Governor Oborevwori has remained focused on governance, continuing to inspect, commission and inaugurate projects across the state.
“Oborevwori is very much in charge both in governance and in the political space of Delta. All is well with the APC in Delta,” he said.
Aniagwu concluded that while differing interests are inevitable in politics, the overriding objective of the party in Delta is to strengthen internal unity, support President Tinubu and sustain development efforts across the state.
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