By Celestine Okafor (Editor-in-Chief )
Nigeria's Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, on Sunday, August 1, 2021, said the relatively successful conduct of the party congress by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in his home state, Delta, was the foundation for the electoral victory of the party in the state in 2023 and beyond.
Omo-Agege, the Obarisi of Urhoboland, made this projection in a statement he personally signed and issued on Sunday. He expressed great satisfaction on the peaceful conduct of party congresses in Delta and across the nation, noting that it was "heart-warming that our leaders and members in all 25 Local Government Areas of Delta State participated actively, responsibly and peacefully in this internal exercise of our party".
The lawmaker observed that the "keen grassroots interest in the congress and massive turnout everywhere are particularly encouraging", stating that "Our people simply reaffirmed the reality that the APC has truly attained new, robust strategic electoral strengths to dominate the politics of Delta State.
"We thank our leaders and members for ensuring that the Ward Congress in Delta State and other parts of the country is overwhelmingly successful. It is equally commendable that were divergences of opinions existed, such was largely handled responsibly, lawfully, and harmlessly. That is the essential spirit and beauty of democracy – finding compromise from initial different perspectives through civilized means".
Senator Omo-Agege pointed out that it is in the collective interest of the APC family that the winners of the congressional elections are genuinely magnanimous in victory by embracing and respecting their opponents.
He warned that "Nobody should be treated as a loser under any circumstances. Mutual respect through constructive engagements is a critical component of productive politics. Our new ward executives are trusted to humbly embrace this approach in piloting the affairs of our party at the grassroots".
He continued: "Here in Delta, the positive spirit of purpose that preceded the Ward Congress has further strengthened our party. This should guide us to earn and deliver future electoral victories.
"We must redouble our efforts to ensure that the gains of this leadership re-engineering process guide us to heal divisive tendencies, stop self-harming anti-party schemes and properly reward all who truly demonstrate fidelity to the progressive ideology of our great party".
The deputy presiding officer of the Nigerian Senate however declared that "We are rebuilding our party to win elections convincingly and comprehensively in 2023. With God, nothing will ever stop us.
"We can only continue to humbly ask our leaders and members to give absolute loyalty to the party ably led by the Chairman of our Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni, and support President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR with constant patriotism and prayers so much needed for the huge task of nation-building, even as we move confidently to sweep Delta State clean in 2023", he stated. NNL.