THE All Progressives Congress’s (APC) ward and local council congresses in Delta State have been concluded, but with mixed reactions from the stakeholders.

While the committee overseeing the congresses has applauded party members for the peaceful and orderly conduct of the exercise, some party members are dissatisfied, alleging manipulation of the process.
Secretary of the committee, Simon Chukwuemeka Atigwe, gave commendation while addressing journalists at Ward 10 in Oshimili South Local Council Area after monitoring ward congresses across the three senatorial districts.

He described the process as smooth, calm, and well-coordinated.
According to Atigwe, members of the committee toured several wards across Delta South, Delta Central, and Delta North senatorial districts without encountering any disputes or disruptions.

He said: “As part of our assignment, we have been moving around the state to assess the situation on the ground. From Delta South to Delta Central, and now here in Delta North at Ward 10, Oshimili South, what we have seen has been commendable.”
He noted that the committee interacted directly with party members and stakeholders in different wards and found the exercise peaceful.

“There has been no cause for concern anywhere we visited. The process has been seamless and orderly,” Atigwe added.

He commended party faithful for their maturity, discipline, and impressive turnout, stating that the unity displayed during the congress reflects the growing strength of the APC in Delta State.
However, members who spoke with The Guardian questioned the credibility of the process, alleging that results in some wards were compiled at secluded locations and skewed to favour recent entrants and politically connected loyalists.

They argued that the outcome appeared tilted toward the party leadership political bloc, raising concerns about internal democracy and the growing influence of new power alignments within the state chapter.
They also noted that the pattern of winners suggested that “the process had been predetermined,” warning that perceived exclusion of long-standing grassroots actors could deepen factional distrust ahead of future elections.

They warned that unless grievances are addressed, suppressed resentment from ward-level contests can resurface during delegate selection, primaries, or campaign mobilisation.
However, the APC state spokesman, Valentine Onojehuo, rejected the claims, describing the congress as orderly and broadly accepted.

While insisting no stakeholder was sidelined, he said the party had, from the outset, agreed to adopt a consensus approach to avoid rancour and costly internal contests.