The All Progressives Congress on Wednesday advanced its nationwide ward congresses, consolidating grassroots structures across several states.
This is even as the party postponed the exercise in Adamawa State ahead of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri’s anticipated defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the ruling party.
The party has slated February 18 for its ward congresses across some states.
Though there was violence in Ondo, the congresses in Ogun, Edo, Kwara, Delta, Oyo, Benue, and Kebbi, among others, proceeded peacefully, largely by consensus.
Sources within the party confirmed that the delay in the Adamwa exercise was designed to accommodate the governor and other prospective defectors, ensuring a smooth integration into APC structures.
A member of the PDP Caretaker Committee, close to Fintiri, told The PUNCH on condition of anonymity, as he was not authorised to speak publicly, that Fintiri was expected to leave the opposition party in a matter of weeks.
Also, a senior APC official, also speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that the rescheduling of the congresses in Adamawa was intended to protect the governor’s interests within the party structures.
Last week, Fintiri declared that he was willing to go wherever his people wanted him to serve, and he was lauded for his performance when President Bola Tinubu visited the state on Monday.
The APC, in a letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission dated February 17, 2026, announced the postponement of Adamawa ward and local government congresses.
The letter, titled “Notice of Postponement of State, Local Government and Ward Congresses in Adamawa State,” was signed by APC National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda and National Secretary, Dr Ajibola Basiru.
In Ogun State, Governor Dapo Abiodun hailed the peaceful ward congresses held across all 20 local government areas, with party members commended for their orderly conduct and commitment to internal democracy.
Speaking after the congress in Ward 3, Iperu, in Ikenne Local Government Area, Abiodun praised the calm atmosphere that characterised the exercise across the state, describing it as a reflection of unity and maturity within the party.
He also lauded the immediate past ward executives for their leadership and achievements, noting that their managerial competence had strengthened the party at the grassroots.
At the end of the congress held at the ward secretariat in the Iregun area of Iperu, Alhaji Sanni Razaq was elected ward chairman, Yinka Balogun emerged as secretary, while Morouf Okugboye became vice chairman.
Similarly, at Ward 3 in Sango-Ota, the Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, described the congress as peaceful and foundational to the emergence of credible grassroots leaders.
In Edo State, ward congress was held across the 192 wards of the state, and leaders emerged on a consensus basis.
Addressing journalists at the party secretariat in Benin City, the state chairman of the party, Jarret Tenebe, flanked by a delegation of the party from the APC national secretariat, called on the newly elected leaders to present good leadership.
He also charged them to mobilise people for the ongoing Continuous Voters Registration being carried out by the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure that the 3.5 million votes promised to President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election were achieved.
“The seamless conclusion of the ward congresses held on the 18th of February, 2026, across the 192 wards of Edo State marks yet another watershed in the political evolution of our dear state.
“Today, we celebrate not just the successful conduct of a party exercise, but the reaffirmation of our collective commitment to unity, cohesion, transparency, and inclusivity,” he said.
In Kwara, the exercise held across the 193 wards was held in a peaceful and carnival-like atmosphere.
Speaking at the party’s state secretariat in Ilorin, the State Chairman, Sunday Fagbemi, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the members and the transparency of the process.
“This is the ward congress of the party, which takes place in all 193 wards in the state. So far, so good; we have not heard any adverse reports. The idea behind affirmation is to make the exercise less rancorous,” Fagbemi stated.
The chairman of the congress committee and Deputy Chairman of the APC in Kwara, Alhaji Abdullahi Samari, noted that every participant had undergone rigorous vetting.
The secretary of the screening committee, Oche Muhammed, confirmed that the committee had received and verified the list of aspirants.
At the local government level, the chairman of the APC in Ilorin West, Suleiman Tejidini, described the exercise as a collective triumph for all stakeholders.
The transition was also lauded by the chairman of Ilorin West Local Government, Alhaji AbdulRahman Ladan, who attributed the success to the leadership style of Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq.
Reports from the southern and northern senatorial districts similarly indicated a hitch-free exercise.
The committee overseeing the ward and local government congresses in Delta State applauded party members for the peaceful and orderly conduct of the exercise across the state.
Secretary of the Committee, Simon Chukwuemeka Atigwe, gave the commendation while addressing journalists at Ward 10 in Oshimili South Local Government Area.
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 said.
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.
A former governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, who participated alongside his daughter, a member of the Delta State House of Assembly, voted for consensus candidates for ward chairman and other officers.
Former National Woman Leader of the party and Executive Director, Business Development at NEXIM Bank, Stella Okotete, commended the inclusiveness of the congress, highlighting the emergence of women in key positions such as vice chairman, welfare officer, treasurer, and assistant youth leader.
The lawmaker representing the Delta Central Senatorial District, Ede Dafinone, declared that “unity now defines the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Sapele and across other wards in Sapele Local Government Area, following the party’s Ward 1 Congress.”
The party conducted ward congresses across the state, with the Ward 1 exercise held at Chude Girls Grammar School, Sapele, attended by ward leaders and their representatives.
Dafinone described the exercise as “peaceful, inclusive, and free of dissent.””
He said, “We have to be one family to win the election. Our primary goal is to deliver to Mr President, our governor, and all other APC positions.
“The results of the consensus of congress were announced. The House gave a resounding aye. There has been no protest, no dissenting voice,” he said.
In Oyo State, the party attributed the successful conduct of its ward congress to the demonstration of good spirit, dedication and commitment by its members and other stakeholders.
A statement released in Ibadan, the state capital, by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, further attributed it to the competence and diligence on the part of the congress committees deployed to the state by the national headquarters of the party.
Sadare said following the adoption of consensus by the leadership of the party in Oyo State, the exercise was absolutely peaceful and successful across the 351 wards.
“The ward congress, which took place across the state, was largely peaceful as it was devoid of schism and protests. The tone for a successful exercise was set by the Congress Screening Committee led by Gombi Amos, which did an excellent job on the candidates yesterday (Tuesday), while the Nadir Lar-led Congress Committee deserves accolades for conducting a ward congress which has been adjudged as transparent and credible,” he said.
In Benue State, the exercise was held across the 276 council wards.
Chairman of Ward and Local Government Congresses, Dr Auwalu Ishya, while addressing local government chairmen and ward returning officers, said that the committee had conducted screening of aspirants, adding that one set of names was submitted.
Speaking with journalists, Benue State APC Caretaker Committee chairman, Benjamin Omale, urged party supporters to be orderly, disciplined and ensure they go with the National Working Committee, NEC regulations.
Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, charged newly elected ward executives to promote unity among members and uphold party supremacy as a foundation for political stability and development in the state.
Expressing satisfaction with the peaceful conduct of the congresses, Idris described the exercise held in Marafa and Nasawa II wards in Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area as a reflection of the prevailing calm in the state.
“The peaceful conduct of this congress signifies that Kebbi is peaceful,” the governor said.
Chairman of the Ward Congress Election Committee and former Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Abdulmalik Mahmud, commended party members in Kebbi for adopting consensus in selecting their ward executives, in line with the party’s constitution.
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