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From Joe Obukata Ogbodu, Warri
Chief Solomon Arenyeka, a former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State, has been elected as the new state chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
He was elected at the congress held at the Cenotaph in Asaba, the state capital.
However, some bigwigs of the party, including former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege, the senator representing Delta North, Ned Nwoko, as well as Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, member representing Ethiope Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and daughter of former governor James Ibori, were conspicuously absent.
Chief Arenyeka emerged by consensus at the Delta APC state congress held on Tuesday. Elder Moses Iduh was elected deputy chairman, while Chief Efe Uko emerged as state secretary.
Also elected through consensus were Chief Paulinus Akpeki as Delta Central chairman, Chief Emmanuel Amgbaduba as Delta South chairman, Engr Daniel Ossai as Delta North chairman, Elder Emmanuel Egbabor as state organising secretary, Barr Valentine Onojeghuo as state publicity secretary, Mrs Ifeyinwa Sobotie as state woman leader and Christopher Agali as state youth leader, among others.
The chairman of the state congress electoral committee, Engr Vita Abba, who declared the new executive elected after their affirmation by delegates, said the affirmation process was conducted in line with the party’s constitution and guidelines.
Earlier, former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Victor Ochei, moved a motion for the dissolution of the outgoing State Working Committee to pave the way for the election of a new leadership. The motion was seconded by Olorogun O’tega Emerhor and was unanimously adopted by party delegates.
Addressing party faithful, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori expressed gratitude to the outgoing executive led by Elder Omeni Sobotie for steering the party through what he described as a defining transition period following the political realignment of April 2025.
The governor said, “I stand before you today filled with a deep sense of responsibility and brimming with optimism about the bright prospects of our great party. What began as a principled decision to align Delta State with the renewed vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has evolved into a powerful and unstoppable political movement.”
He commended the discipline, cooperation and resilience demonstrated by party members across the state and described the peaceful conduct of congresses in the 270 wards, 25 local government areas and the state as a testament to the APC’s internal democracy.
“There was no imposition. What we witnessed is broad consultation, agreement and inclusiveness. This structure belongs to all of us,” he stated.
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The governor charged the new executive to prioritise regular meetings, strengthen grassroots engagement and intensify voter mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 polls.
“Our mission is unequivocal. We must secure victory at every level – the Presidency, the Senate, the House of Representatives, the Governorship and the State House of Assembly,” Oborevwori said, expressing confidence that the APC in the state would deliver massive votes for President Tinubu and all party candidates.
He reiterated that his administration remains committed to transparency, accountability and performance under the MORE Agenda, highlighting strides in infrastructure, healthcare, education, youth empowerment, agriculture, security and human capital development.
In his remarks, the former state chairman, Elder Omeni Sobotie, described the congress as the product of collective sacrifice and unity. He said, “In politics, what we have is not ‘I’ but ‘we.’ The interest of the people is more important than personal interests,” urging the new leadership to lead with humility. He added that “ability may take a man to the top, but humility keeps him there.”
He expressed confidence that the APC in its present form was formidable and capable of overwhelming any opposition.
In his acceptance speech, Chief Solomon Arenyeka thanked party leaders and members for the confidence reposed in him and members of the new State Working Committee.
“I am fully aware of the weight of this responsibility and do not take it lightly. We consider ourselves privileged to serve, and we pledge to justify the confidence imposed in us,” he promised.
Arenyeka assured that the new executive would uphold the values of hard work, integrity, transparency and teamwork, while sustaining the tradition of consensus-building and accountability.
He paid tribute to Governor Oborevwori for what he described as exemplary leadership and unifying disposition, pledging that under his chairmanship, the Delta APC would become a model for other states.
Arenyeka said, “We have heard the marching orders from our leader. By God’s grace, we shall deliver all APC candidates in the 2027 elections.”
The congress drew party leaders and stakeholders from across the state and beyond, with a charged atmosphere of celebration and unity as the Delta APC formally inaugurated a new leadership ahead of the next electoral cycle.
