The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress on Wednesday successfully conducted its ward congresses across all 192 wards of the state, with officials emerging through a consensus process in what party leaders described as a peaceful and rancour free exercise.
The congresses were held amid reports of disturbances in some other states, but the exercise in Edo was concluded without conflict, reinforcing the party’s claim of internal unity and cohesion.
Speaking at the party secretariat in Benin City, the State Chairman, Emperor Jarret Tenebe, addressed journalists alongside a delegation from the APC National Secretariat. He described the outcome of the congress as a significant milestone and urged the newly elected ward executives to provide strong leadership at the grassroots.
He also tasked them with mobilising eligible residents to participate in the ongoing Continuous Voters Registration being conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, stressing that voter registration is crucial to achieving the 3.5 million votes pledged to President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Tenebe said, “The seamless conclusion of the ward congresses held on February 18, 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.
“The National Working Committee (NWC) provided clear guidelines and conditionalities for the conduct of congresses at the ward, local government, and state levels. I am pleased to state unequivocally that those guidelines were implemented strictly and faithfully in Edo State. The result is what we are witnessing today — a process concluded seamlessly, without rancour, without disharmony, and without division among our members.
“Our Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has made a bold commitment to deliver 3.5 million votes in support of our President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in the 2027 presidential election. That commitment is not merely symbolic; it is a collective responsibility.”
Highlighting the importance of the ward structure, Tenebe reminded the new executives of their responsibility to strengthen party presence at the grassroots level.
“The ward remains the bedrock of our political structure. It is the closest arm of the party to the grassroots — to the electorate who ultimately determine outcomes at both state and national levels.
“You are therefore entrusted with the sacred duty of deepening party structures at the grassroots, mobilising our people, and ensuring that the policies and programmes of our party resonate meaningfully within your communities.
“As we look ahead, we must recognise the importance of the ongoing voter registration exercise being conducted by INEC. This exercise forms a critical part of the political roadmap to the 2027 general elections.
“Accordingly, I charge our newly elected ward executives to embark on a massive grassroots mobilisation drive to encourage eligible citizens to participate fully in the ongoing INEC registration exercise. Beyond mobilisation, you must also sensitise our people on the importance of safeguarding their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). The strength of democracy lies in the ballot, and the ballot begins with registration.”
The party chairman further urged the ward leaders to maintain close collaboration with their respective local government executives to sustain the harmony and unity he said currently exist within the party in Edo State.
