In Abia, despite the heightened tension prior to yesterday’s ward congress, the Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) took under an atmosphere observers described as one of the most peaceful nationwide, with impressive turnout across the 184 wards of the state.
The exercise which sailed smoothly in all the wards was generally participatory with the outcome indicating that loyalists of a prominent chieftain of the Party, Chief Ikechi Emenike are leading in most of the wards where leaders and delegates have emerged from the congress.
Speaking on the outcome, the Chairman of the Ward Congress Committee for Abia State, Hon. Israel Sonny Goli commended the exercise. Hon. Goli who spoke to newsmen in Umuahia at the end of the exercise described it as peaceful and worthy of emulation by other states, even as it was characterized by long queues of party faithful.
“The turnout was quite impressive and commendable; and the attitude of members of the party towards the congress is also commendable,” he added.
Hon Goli had led the other six members of the committee, including the secretary, Hon Muktar Bajeh, to go round and monitor the congress in a number of wards to ensure that the exercise was conducted according to laid down procedures.
The congress committee chairman dismissed insinuations that a parallel congress was held in Abia, saying that the exercise was “all inclusive”.
However, a group loyal to the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu was said to have boycotted the congress, alleging that a parallel congress was also taking place.
