APC Elects 36-Member Exco in Bayelsa as Ogoriba Emerges Chairman
By Passman Akpos
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State has successfully conducted its State Congress, producing a new 36-member State Working Committee in a peaceful and consensus-driven exercise held at the Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre.
The congress, which took place on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, was supervised by the Governor and Leader of the party in the state, Douye Diri. He was joined by his Deputy, Dr. Peter Akpe; the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri; the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Samuel Ogbuku; and other prominent party leaders and stakeholders.
At the end of the exercise, Hon. Warman Weri Ogoriba, a former member of the House of Representatives (2007–2015), emerged as the State Chairman and was immediately sworn in alongside other members of the executive committee.
Hon. Ogoriba succeeds Chief Barr. Dennis Otiotio and his executive committee, whose tenure came to an end following a dissolution motion moved by former Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peremobowei Ebebi, and seconded by the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ngobere. The motion received general acceptance from delegates.
The Chairman of the National Congress Committee deployed to the state conducted a voice vote for each aspirant, with delegates unanimously endorsing all candidates in what observers described as an orderly and transparent process.
In his remarks, Governor Diri charged the newly elected officials to prioritize unity and reconciliation, stressing the need to build a formidable party structure that would effectively promote the achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and advance the Renewed Hope Agenda of Prosperity in Bayelsa State.
Responding on behalf of the new executive, Hon. Ogoriba expressed gratitude to the Governor, delegates, and party leaders for the confidence reposed in them. He pledged that his leadership would work collaboratively with all stakeholders and align closely with the Prosperity Government to actualize the Renewed Hope vision and aspirations in the state over the next four years.
The State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. John, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), members of the press, and other observers monitored the process from accreditation through voting.
Notable stakeholders in attendance included Senators Konbowei Benson (Bayelsa Central) and Benson Agadaga (Bayelsa East), members of the House of Representatives Hon. Oboku Oforji and Hon. Rodney Ambaiowei, as well as Chief David Lyon, Prince Ebitimi Amgbare, Dr. Tonye Okio, and Engr. Preye Aganaba.
The congress concluded without incident, with party leaders describing the exercise as a demonstration of internal democracy and unity within the Bayelsa APC.
