By Festus Ahon, Egufe Yafugbori, Godwin Oghre & Ochuko Akuopha

ASABA—THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, ward congresses held weekend, were  free of rancour  in Delta State. A cross-section of PDP faithful in the state who spoke to Vanguard, separately, said the exercise was the most peaceful in the history of the party in the state.

Those who spoke to our correspondents include Minority Leader of House of Representatives, Mr Leo Ogor,  immediate past Minister of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr Steve Oru, Deputy Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Friday Osanebi, Chief of Staff  to former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, Dr Festus Okubor, Chief Isaac Akpoveta, Olorogun Ebenezer Okorodudu, Olorogun Teleb Tebite and member representing Okpe Local Government constituency in the state House of Assembly, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori.

Others were, Executive Secretary, Delta State Bursary and Scholarship Board,  Elijah Ologe, Executive Director, Social Services Development of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Mr. Ochor Ochor,  Dr David Oghenekevbe, Mr Mike Ogwa and Chairmen of Isoko North and South Local Governments, Mr. Emmanuel Egbabor and Sir Itiako Ikpokpo, respectively.

They all adjudged the congresses as peaceful and successful. Ogor, who represents Isoko federal constituency at the House of Representatives, applauded the conduct of the congress in the various wards, saying: “So far, there has been no complain from any ward, the congress is very peaceful.”

On his part, Dr Steve Oru said that the congress was held in all the wards of the local government areas in the state,  saying the exercise was peaceful in all the 11 wards in Ughelli North, particularly in Ward 1/5.

“It was conducted in line with globally acceptable best practices and in tandem with our party’s constitution. “I have reached out to our various party leaders and faithful across Delta State and the story is that of a successful outing. I believe very strongly that PDP is on the track to greater glory.”

Osanebi, on his part, said that the ward congresses were generally peaceful and orderly in Ndokwa East Local Government  Area. Immediate past lawmaker representing Ughelli South constituency in the state House of Assembly, Olorogun Teleb Tebite described the congress as hitch free, peaceful and the best that the party had held over the years. Dr Festus Okubor, said that the exercise was successful and largely peaceful in Ika North East Local Government Area.

Chief Isaac Akpoveta said the congress was very peaceful in Ughelli North, particularly in Ughelli ward 2/6 where according to him option A4 was adopted. He said that the congress was the beginning of a united PDP ready to stand any challenge.

Commenting on the conduct of the congress in Ughelli South, Olorogun Ebenezer Okorodudu, state PDP Chairmanship aspirant, said the election was peaceful. He noted that the PDP is a well organised party that has internal mechanism for resolving issues.

At Okpe, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori said that the exercise was peaceful and credible in his constituency,  while Dr David Oghenekevbe said the exercise was successful in Sapele, adding that it was done through consensus.  The situation was not different in Patani, as Elijah Ologe described the congress as the most peaceful ever. He commended the leadership of the party in the area for the peaceful conduct of the exercise.