ASABA: Ward congresses of the All-Progressives Congress were held on Wednesday across several communities in the Delta North Senatorial District despite earlier calls by some ward chairmen urging the party leadership to halt the exercise over concerns about the consensus arrangement.
The congresses, which are part of efforts to strengthen grassroots party structures, went ahead in many localities as members gathered to elect or affirm ward executives.
The development followed protests by ward leaders who had previously written to the state chairman, Sobotie Omeni, requesting a suspension and restructuring of the process to ensure fairness, transparency, and broader inclusion of longstanding party members.
Those protesting had argued that the consensus approach risked sidelining loyal grassroots figures while allegedly favouring newer entrants into the party.
They also warned that unresolved internal tensions could affect mobilization efforts ahead of future elections, particularly as political actors begin positioning for contests involving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Despite the earlier objections, reports indicate that the congresses proceeded largely peacefully across the district, although some areas recorded parallel activities reflecting lingering internal divisions.
One notable instance was reported in Akumazi-Umuocha, a community in Umunede, where two separate congresses were said to have taken place at different venues.
According to local sources, longstanding APC members led by Chuks Ojinjin organized their own congress, while another faction consisting largely of newer party entrants reportedly held a separate gathering believed to have the backing of the Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu.
Observers in the community said both gatherings were peaceful and concluded successfully, with participants expressing satisfaction with the outcomes despite the existence of parallel structures.
Many party faithful described the atmosphere as calm, noting that the absence of violence helped reduce fears of deeper factional conflict.
Similar developments were reported in parts of Ika Northeast Local Government Area and Ika South Local Government Area, where congresses also went ahead amid earlier disagreements over process and representation.
Party sources in those councils indicated that while there were initial concerns about inclusiveness, stakeholders eventually conducted the exercises peacefully, with calls now growing for reconciliation among factions.
Political observers say ward congresses are crucial to shaping party strength at the grassroots level because they influence leadership structures, mobilization capacity, and future electoral strategy.
As such, the way internal disputes are managed in Delta North may have implications for party unity and preparedness ahead of upcoming political cycles.
For many party members, the relatively peaceful conduct of the congresses across the district despite earlier tensions presents an opportunity for dialogue, reconciliation, and consolidation of party structures as political activities continue to intensify in Delta State.
