By Mokobia Rita
OKPANAM/Nigeria: Director-General of the Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency, Chief Patrick Ukah, on Wednesday led a strong show of unity and party solidarity in Okpanam/Ugbolu Ward 9 as the All Progressives Congress (APC) conducted its State House of Assembly primary election, producing Hon. Innocent Esenwezie as the party’s candidate for the 2027 general elections.
The primary election, held on May 20, 2026, drew a massive turnout of party faithful, women groups, youths and stakeholders, transforming the exercise into a public display of political cohesion and renewed confidence in the leadership structure of the APC in Delta State.
Addressing supporters at the event, Ukah described the APC as a disciplined political family built on loyalty, unity and collective progress.
He explained that the exercise took the form of an affirmation process because the party had only one cleared aspirant for the State House of Assembly seat.
According to him, delegates and party members openly endorsed Hon. Innocent Esenwezie by physically raising their hands to affirm his candidature as APC flagbearer for the Okpanam/Ugbolu State Constituency ahead of the 2027 elections.
“There is only one candidate and one agent. The candidate was duly cleared by the party, and today we have come to affirm him. We physically raised our hands and voted for him because we believe in his capacity to represent us well,” Ukah stated.
The former Delta State Commissioner urged party members to sustain the momentum witnessed during the primary and convert it into electoral strength during the 2027 general elections.
He called on supporters to remain united and mobilise support for the APC across all elective positions, including the presidential, senatorial, governorship, House of Representatives and State Assembly contests.
Ukah specifically appealed to members to work towards securing victory for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Governor and APC senatorial candidate, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Delta State Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, House of Representatives member Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu and Assembly candidate Hon. Innocent Esenwezie.
“Our joy is that political activities in Delta State have always remained a family affair. That family has gathered here today in one place, stronger and more united, forging ahead together,” he said.
Reflecting on the political evolution of Delta State, Ukah maintained that the bond among political stakeholders had remained intact since 1999.
“We have remained one huge family since 1999, and that family has never been distorted. By the grace of God, nobody will distort it,” he declared.
In an emotional appeal that drew applause from supporters, he added: “We will continue to depend on God and not on the power of man so that this unity will continue to see us through.”
The Returning Officer for the exercise, Mr. Nsolo Victor, later announced Hon. Innocent Esenwezie as winner of the APC State House of Assembly primary election for the constituency.
Victor disclosed that 4,102 delegates were accredited for the exercise, while Esenwezie polled 4,100 votes to emerge victorious.
The declaration sparked celebrations among party supporters, who described the outcome as a reflection of unity and consensus within the APC structure in the area.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Political Affairs, Ogbueshi Innocent Uchiboulu, commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for what he described as impactful leadership and developmental projects across Oshimili North and Okpanam communities.
He also praised the governor for carrying party members along through appointments and inclusive governance.
Uchiboulu urged residents and eligible voters to begin preparations for the 2027 elections by registering and obtaining their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
The event ended with renewed calls for unity as party leaders projected confidence that the APC in Okpanam/Ugbolu would move into the 2027 elections with a common purpose and strengthened political structure.
