Senator Ede Dafinone, representing Delta Central Senatorial District, has commended the smooth conduct of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Ward Congress in Sapele, describing the exercise as peaceful, inclusive, and free from any form of dissent or protest.
Speaking after the Ward 1 Congress held on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at Chude Girls Grammar School in Sapele, the senator declared that unity now defines the APC in the local government area. “The results of the consensus of Congress were announced. The House gave a resounding aye. There has been no protest, no dissenting voice,” Dafinone stated.
Although he was not physically present at the venue, the lawmaker said he received regular updates throughout the process and actively engaged with stakeholders. He revealed that the Ward 1 leadership emerged through extensive consultations among local leaders, ensuring broad acceptance.
Dafinone emphasized that the era of factionalism—previously characterized by divisions such as “50-50” or “70-30” splits—is over. “The days of 50-50, 70-30 are gone. We are all one party going forward, staffed by the strongest representatives across all the wards,” he asserted. He highlighted the inclusive participation of both longstanding APC members and former PDP defectors, describing the congress as a clear demonstration of party cohesion.
Leadership positions in Ward 1 were deliberately distributed across various units to guarantee wide representation and grassroots ownership. The newly elected executives include:
Chairman: Comrade Justice Erikefe Obosievwe
Vice Chairman: Osiebe Trust
Secretary: Ezealaji Chukwuebuka
Assistant Secretary: Igie Kadiri Naomi
and other key officers.
The senator stressed that this deliberate inclusivity strengthens the party’s position ahead of elections. “This ensures that come election day, we have our strongest people on the ground ready to win,” he explained. His overriding message was unity of purpose: “We have to be one family to win the election. Our primary goal is to deliver Mr President, our governor, and all other APC positions.”
Addressing reports of dissatisfaction in some quarters, Dafinone attributed such concerns to personal ambitions and inconsistent engagement. “People who have not been attending the meetings for nearly one year, and show up three days before Congress demanding leadership, make it hard to accommodate everyone,” he remarked. He urged aggrieved members to pursue resolution through dialogue rather than division, reinforcing that internal reconciliation remains key to the party’s success.
The Sapele Ward 1 congress aligns with similar exercises conducted across Delta State on the same day, forming part of the APC’s broader effort to consolidate and strengthen its grassroots structures in Delta Central’s 85 wards. Party officials say the peaceful outcome in Sapele signals deeper collaboration between longstanding members and new entrants, positioning the APC favorably for future electoral contests.
Residents and political observers in Sapele view the congress result as a strong indicator of renewed unity and organizational discipline within the party ahead of upcoming local government and general elections.
Senator Dafinone’s commendation underscores his continued commitment to building a cohesive, inclusive, and electorally formidable APC in Delta Central, with unity and strategic representation at the core of the party’s renewed direction.
