ASABA/Nigeria: Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, has attributed the peaceful conduct of the recent All Progressives Congress (APC) congress in Delta State to the inclusive leadership style of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the extensive consultations held with party stakeholders across the state.
Aniagwu made the remarks on Wednesday while speaking on Focus Nigeria, a programme on African Independent Television (AIT), where he explained that the process that produced the new state executive committee of the APC was anchored on consensus and broad consultations among party members.
According to him, the process aligned with the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that party leaders across the country should carry members along as preparations begin for the party’s national convention.
He explained that following the President’s call for inclusiveness within the APC, states initiated consultations aimed at strengthening internal unity, noting that Delta State adopted a particularly broad and participatory approach.
Aniagwu disclosed that Governor Oborevwori convened a stakeholders’ meeting which brought together various segments of the party, including founding members who joined the APC in 2014 and others who recently defected to the party in April 2025.
“At the stakeholders’ meeting, it was agreed that every local government should return to its base to consult widely before taking decisions. The idea was that no single local government should attempt to determine what happens in another local government. That would amount to injustice,” he said.
The commissioner noted that consultations subsequently took place across the 25 local government areas of the state, followed by meetings at the senatorial district level before a final gathering of party leaders at Government House, Asaba, where the process was concluded.
He said the congress held at the Cenotaph in Asaba clearly reflected the prevailing unity within the party, describing the event as colourful, peaceful and well organised.
“You could see the convivial atmosphere. Everyone present was like family members coming together to decide the future of the party and how it can further contribute to the development of Delta State,” Aniagwu stated.
Aniagwu further noted that the composition of the new state executive committee reflected the state’s tradition of political balancing, ensuring that the three senatorial districts were adequately represented in the party’s leadership structure.
According to him, such arrangements, which take into consideration the distribution of key political offices including the governor, deputy governor and the speaker of the House of Assembly, help promote inclusiveness and reduce friction within the party.
The commissioner also commended President Tinubu for allowing internal democracy to thrive within the APC by refraining from imposing leaders on state chapters, a move he said has helped reduce tensions across the country.
“The president made it clear that internal democracy is important for the survival of the party. That is why you are seeing peace across many states, because decisions are being taken at the state level rather than imposed from Abuja,” he said.
Aniagwu reiterated the Delta APC’s support for President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections, noting that party members in the state had consistently aligned with the President’s Renewed Hope agenda since Delta political leaders joined the party on April 28, 2025.
“President Tinubu will naturally become the candidate of the APC, having the right of first refusal, and as party members we will work to ensure his victory in 2027,” he added.
He also noted that Delta State had benefited significantly from federal reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration, particularly policies that have strengthened the financial capacity of subnational governments.
Aniagwu commended Governor Oborevwori for effectively deploying state resources to development projects and ensuring that every local government area benefits from government programmes.
He urged opposition parties to build stronger internal consensus if they intend to compete effectively in future elections, stressing that politics remains “a game of numbers” that requires unity and collaboration.
According to him, the ability of APC leaders in Delta State to place collective party interest above personal ambition played a crucial role in the successful conduct of the congress and would further strengthen the party ahead of future elections.
