SAPELE/Nigeria: The Senator representing Delta Central, Ede Dafinone, has declared that the All Progressives Congress in Sapele Local Government Area has overcome internal divisions and is repositioning itself around unity, structure and electoral strength ahead of forthcoming polls.
Dafinone made the assertion Thursday at Sapele Sports Stadium during the party’s LGA Congress, held February 21, 2026, where new executives emerged through a consensus arrangement supervised by returning officer Blessing Akamugbe in the presence of an official from the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Among party stakeholders present were Delta State Commissioner for Environment Ejiro Jamani, former state party chairman Kingsley Esiso, political figure Austin Ayemidejor, and Delta State House of Assembly member Perkins Umukoro, alongside ward leaders and grassroots mobilisers.
At the end of the exercise, Francis Okpigben emerged as LGA chairman, with Ikomi Gbubemi as vice chairman, Solomon Ofarn as secretary, Omosuvie Henry as assistant secretary, Asagba Hero as youth leader, and Elohor Augustina as assistant youth leader, among other officials.
Speaking with journalists after the congress, Dafinone described the process as a strategic consolidation rather than a routine party exercise. He congratulated the new chairman and said the party had successfully concluded both ward and local government congresses peacefully and without rancour, stressing that consensus had guided the selection process.
He explained that the approach prioritised electoral strength over factional loyalty, noting that party stakeholders were encouraged to identify the strongest candidates in each unit, ward and local government based on proven ability to deliver votes on election day. According to him, this principle would ensure that the party fields candidates with the capacity, experience and grassroots support needed to win elections at all levels.
The senator dismissed lingering claims of factional divisions, declaring that the era of internal arithmetic politics was over. “We are today one united party working for the APC to deliver,” he said, adding that his own political bloc had fully aligned with the broader structure.
Addressing grievances raised by some members, Dafinone acknowledged that a few complaints had surfaced but said he personally reviewed each case. He suggested that certain objections stemmed from personal ambitions or from individuals who distanced themselves from the process for months and later sought inclusion at the final stage.
Nevertheless, he maintained that genuine concerns would not be ignored, assuring that efforts were being made to accommodate members who may have been unfairly excluded. “We must carry everybody along. It must be one united party, and that is what we are all working toward,” he said, reinforcing the party’s message of cohesion as it prepares for future electoral contests.
