The local government congress of the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) witnessed a large turn out of members in Abia State on Saturday as they elected party executives in all the 17 local governments of the state.
It was a repeat performance for the loyalists of Abia’s top chieftain, Chief Ikechi Emenike as they, once again, dominated the congress like they did in the ward congress held on July 31, 2021.
The national leadership of APC had scheduled the local government congress as the second stage in the process of installing new leadership structures from the ward to the national level.
The congress was peaceful across Abia as the party faithful conducted themselves in as they queued to elect their leaders without hindrance.
At Bende, Isuikwuato, Umunneochi and other local governments where the exercise was monitored the party members were enthusiastic as they sang in praise of their party and its leaders.
Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon Nkiruka Onyejeocha commended her party leaders and members in Umunneochi local government for the seamless congress.
She told journalists after the congress held at the party secretariat at Nkwoegu Amuda Isuochi that “the process of dethroning the ruling Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in Abia has started”.
She charged the newly elected party leaders in her local government to redouble their efforts and bring more people into the APC, adding, “I want to see more defections from the outgoing government in Abia”.
Ejiofor Okeudo, who emerged the new party chairman in Bende local government said that there was harmony among the 13 wards in the choice of leaders to pilot the affairs of APC in the council.
The seven-man congress committee for Abia led by its chairman, Hon Israel Sonny Goli supervised the congress and ensured that it was a seamless exercise.