Congress
by Igbaugba Ehigimetor
Benin, May 12, 2018 (NAN) Some members of the APC in Edo, have lauded the conduct of the Local Government congresses in the state, describing it as peaceful.
in separate interviews with newsmen after the exercise, they commended the peaceful conduct of the delegates.
They emphasised that the maturity demonstrated by the delegates was an indication that the party would go into the 2019 generation elections as a united body.
The leader of party in Ovia South West Local Governme Area, Mr Dennis Idahosa, while expressing satisfaction with the congress that took place at Ozolua Primary School, Iguobazuwa, commended the delegates for conducting themselves in an orderly manner.
According to him, the maturity displayed by the delegates and the peaceful disposition as well as the orderly manner the congress was conducted shows that the party is ready for 2019 general elections,” Iguobazuwa said.
“The APC has once again risen to the occasion and proven to be a party of choice for Ovia and Edo people at large.
“Our members displayed maturity and shamed the apostles of doom,” he added.
He explained that the party threw the race open for everybody and decided to adopt the Option A4 where delegates queued behind their choices before being counted and results announced immediately.
NAN reports that most of councils adopted the consensus arrangement or went ahead with an elective congress where necessary.
The State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mr Chris Azebamwan, explained that the method was employed to sustain the peace in the party.
“We started this exercise last Saturday with the ward congresses and before the commencement of the exercise the state leadership of the APC met and decided hat, wherever possible, the leadership at all levels should try and reach a consensus and harmonise all contenders for the various offices.
“That is the guiding principle.
“It is only where such is not possible that we will now conduct elective congresses; you need to remember that congresses, like in other elections, can be very divisive.
“In so far as that is possible, parties across the board always try to reach a consensus where possible so that they can maintain the cohesiveness of the party,” he said.
A lawmaker representing Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr Johnson Agbonayinma, commended the party for the decision.
Agbonayinma said, “members of the APC have spoken; this decision is what they want, without fights and gunshots.
“Having a consensus is also acceptable in a democracy and this is what has happened.
“We accept it in good faith and we appreciate our leaders. I think this is a step in the right direction,” Agbonayinma said
In Esan North East Local Government, Mr Joe Okojie, said that the party remained united after the congress.
“Under a peaceful arrangement as dictated by the party and endorsed by members as well as delegates for the congress, we are happy that we were able to come out more united,” Okojie said. (NAN)
ESI/IK/SH
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edited by Ikenna Uwadileke/Sadiya Hamza