By Victor Ucheka
The Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially handed over the party’s machinery to the State Executive Committee led by Chief Solomon Arenyeka, marking the beginning of a new leadership phase for the party in the state.
The handover ceremony was performed by the immediate past State Chairman, Elder Omeni Sobotie, at the party’s secretariat in Asaba, where the newly constituted executive held its inaugural State Executive Committee (EXCO) meeting.
Speaking during the event, Elder Sobotie expressed confidence in the capacity of his successor to consolidate on the achievements of the previous leadership and further strengthen the party’s structure in Delta State.
“I have absolute confidence that Chief Solomon Arenyeka and his team will take the party to greater heights. The foundation has been laid, and I believe they will build on it to make the party stronger and more united,” Sobotie said.
In his remarks, the new State Chairman, Chief Arenyeka, commended the former chairman for ensuring a seamless and peaceful transition, noting that his experience would continue to be valuable to the party.
“Elder Sobotie has played a significant role in sustaining the party over the years. His wealth of experience will continue to guide us, and we will not hesitate to consult him whenever necessary,” Arenyeka stated.
Addressing members of the State Working Committee and Local Government Party Chairmen during the inaugural meeting, Arenyeka explained that the early meeting was deliberately convened to familiarize members with their responsibilities and prepare them for the tasks ahead.
According to him, the responsibility before the new executive is enormous, particularly in strengthening the party’s structure across the state and consolidating its influence.
“We decided to convene this meeting early so that members can clearly understand their responsibilities. The task before us is enormous, and we must hit the ground running,” he said.
The chairman noted that the party’s recent local government and state congresses in Delta State were conducted smoothly, attributing the success to the consensus arrangement adopted by party leaders.
“The consensus arrangement allowed leaders to consult widely and reach agreements that ensured a smooth process. After the congresses, there was no room for dissent because everyone was carried along,” Arenyeka explained.
He emphasized that the party would not entertain complaints regarding the congresses, urging members to see themselves as one united family under the APC umbrella.
Arenyeka also called on party members to continue supporting the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, stressing that unity, loyalty, discipline, and hard work would remain central to the success of the party.
“Our strength lies in our unity. We must avoid anti-party activities and work together to advance the ideals of our party. My administration will operate an open-door policy that encourages dialogue and cooperation,” he assured.
He further directed local government party chairmen to return to their respective councils and inaugurate ward executives without delay in order to fully operationalize the party structure at the grassroots.
Highlights of the meeting included the swearing-in of local government APC chairmen after taking the relevant oaths of office, as well as a minute of silence in honour of the late former Deputy Governor of Delta State, Amos Utuama.
Meanwhile, speaking during a press briefing shortly after the meeting, the State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mr. Valentine Onojeghuo, said the official handover and the inaugural meeting signaled the party’s readiness to intensify political activities across the state.
“With the successful handover and the inauguration of the new executive, the party is now fully on course to work assiduously in line with the Renewed Hope for MORE Agenda,” Onojeghuo said.
He maintained that under the leadership of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and State Chairman Chief Solomon Arenyeka, the APC in Delta State would remain strong and formidable.
“The APC in Delta State is poised to remain a dominant political force. With the leadership we have in place, there will be no room for the opposition to thrive,” he added.
Onojeghuo also urged Deltans to continue supporting the Oborevwori-led administration, noting that the state government’s MORE Agenda had continued to deliver meaningful development and good governance across the state.
