Agbarho Kingdom in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State witnessed a model display of internal party democracy on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) successfully conducted its Ward Congresses in Ward 1/11 and Ward 10/11 without any reported incident of violence, exclusion, or rancour.
The exercise, which drew hundreds of party faithful, community leaders, women groups, youth wings, and stakeholders from across the wards, was described by participants and independent observers as orderly, transparent, disciplined, and fully compliant with the APC’s national guidelines for grassroots congresses. Delegates arrived early at the designated venues, participated actively in the processes, and cooperated fully with party officials and returning officers to ensure smooth proceedings.
Among the high-profile figures who personally attended and lent their support to the congresses were:
Hon. Agofure Onoriode, a prominent APC chieftain and stakeholder in Ughelli North;
Sir Festus Ahon, JP, Chief Press Secretary to Delta State Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori;
Hon. Stella Okotete, Executive Director, Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), who represents one of the most influential female voices in the Delta APC.
Speaking at the venue of Ward 1/11, Sir Festus Ahon commended the maturity and sense of collective purpose displayed by members. “What we witnessed today is politics at its best—peaceful, inclusive, and focused on building a strong grassroots foundation,” he said. “When party members come together in harmony like this, it sends a powerful message that the APC in Delta State is ready for greater things.”
Hon. Stella Okotete, who moved between both ward venues, echoed similar sentiments. “The atmosphere was calm, transparent, and reflective of the new spirit of cooperation we are seeing across the party in this area,” she noted. “This kind of discipline and unity is exactly what we need to position the APC for success in future elections.”
Independent observers present at the congresses confirmed that the process recorded zero grievances, no open disputes, and no reports of intimidation or exclusion. Delegates worked in harmony to complete accreditation, voting, and announcement of results, leading to the emergence of new ward executives in both Ward 1/11 and Ward 10/11. Party members and leaders later joined in a brief celebratory moment, expressing optimism that the newly elected leaders would further strengthen the APC’s grassroots machinery in Agbarho Kingdom.
Addressing widespread misinformation and sponsored propaganda that had circulated online before and during the congresses, a senior party stakeholder issued a detailed clarification to set the record straight:
“It is important to set the record straight regarding the recently concluded Ward Congresses of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Delta State. Misleading information has been circulating, clearly sponsored propaganda from individuals who have consistently sought to defame others for cheap handouts. Politics, however, is local—it is not played on Android phones or through baseless online narratives.”
The statement continued: “Since 2014, this has been the most peaceful APC Ward Congress in Delta State. The process was neither hijacked nor exclusionary. On the contrary, the Congresses were conducted strictly in line with party guidelines, with active participation from both longstanding members and new entrants across the wards. The atmosphere throughout the state reflected unity, order, and genuine democratic engagement.”
The stakeholder expressed profound appreciation to Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori for his leadership and commitment to ensuring free, fair, and transparent party processes. “His inclusive approach and dedication to party cohesion continue to strengthen the APC structure at the grassroots level,” the statement read.
On the day of the congress, the stakeholder spent time with Hon. Agofure Onoriode (Commissioner for Transportation), Sir Festus Ahon (Chief Press Secretary to the Governor), and other notable elders, leaders, and party faithfuls of Agbarho Kingdom. He also visited several other wards in Ughelli North, confirming that the peaceful atmosphere was consistent across the local government area.
The successful conduct of the congresses in Agbarho is widely seen as a microcosm of the broader resurgence and growing cohesion within the APC in Delta State. Party leaders believe the unity demonstrated at the grassroots level will translate into stronger electoral performance in future contests, including local government elections, by-elections, and the 2027 general elections.
With the ward executives now in place, attention shifts to the next phase—local government congresses and continued mobilization efforts. Stakeholders remain optimistic that the foundation laid in places like Agbarho will help position the APC as a formidable force in Delta politics, capable of challenging the long-standing dominance of other parties in the state.
The peaceful and inclusive nature of Wednesday’s exercise has been hailed as a positive signal to voters, political analysts, and even rival parties that the APC in Delta State is maturing into a disciplined, people-driven organization focused on governance and service delivery rather than division and propaganda.
