Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, Warman Weri Ogoriba, has said the party is more united and better positioned for future elections, insisting that ongoing reconciliation efforts within the party have been largely successful.
Speaking during an interactive session with journalists in Yenagoa, Ogoriba dismissed suggestions that the party’s reconciliation drive had failed following the defection of some members, including former APC deputy governorship candidate Joshua MacIver, to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to him, it would be wrong to judge the success of the reconciliation process based on the actions of a few individuals.
“As soon as I emerged chairman, one of the first persons I reached out to was Joshua MacIver because I consider him an important stakeholder in the party. Everyone has the constitutional right to belong to any political party of their choice, but one person’s decision cannot be used to conclude that our reconciliation efforts have failed,” he said.
The APC chairman noted that, unlike previous election cycles, most aspirants who lost during the party primaries remained in the APC, describing it as evidence of growing unity and maturity within the party.
Ogoriba attributed the relative peace in the Bayelsa APC to inclusive leadership and regular engagement with party stakeholders.
“What causes crises in political parties is exclusion. We have made deliberate efforts to carry everyone along. We engaged aspirants before and after the primaries, and that has helped us maintain peace and stability,” he stated.
He announced that the party would hold a stakeholders’ meeting at its new state secretariat, where its leader would address members and unveil programmes aimed at strengthening the APC ahead of future elections.
On the party’s electoral prospects, Ogoriba said the APC would campaign on the achievements of both the Bayelsa State Government and the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
He highlighted infrastructural development across Bayelsa, including improved road networks and access to previously difficult-to-reach communities such as Oporoma and Ekeremor.
“For over 60 years, access to Oporoma was a major challenge, but today people can drive there. The road infrastructure being developed across the state is transforming lives and opening up economic opportunities,” he said.
The APC chairman also praised President Tinubu’s administration, giving it a performance rating of over 90 per cent.
He acknowledged concerns over the rising cost of living but argued that the Federal Government’s economic reforms were beginning to yield positive results.
“Infrastructure development is ongoing across the country, states are receiving more funds, and the President has challenged governors to be accountable to their people. We believe Nigerians will appreciate these efforts and support the APC in future elections,” he said.
Ogoriba further disclosed that the party had relocated to a larger secretariat along the Melford Okilo (Sani Abacha) Expressway in Yenagoa to accommodate its growing membership and activities.
He added that the APC would soon commence the registration of support groups across the state to improve coordination and strengthen grassroots mobilization.
On the emergence of opposition parties in Bayelsa, the APC chairman said the ruling party was not distracted by political rivals, stressing that its focus remained on presenting its candidates and achievements to the people.
“We are not interested in discussing other parties. Our focus is on our achievements, our candidates, and our plans for Bayelsa. Ultimately, the people will decide,” he said.
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