NDC Abia state congress concludes in umuahia as party delegates adopt consensus model to elect new state executive

Stephanie Clems, Umuahia

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Abia State took a significant step toward internal stability on Monday, as delegates gathered in the state capital to produce a new State Executive Committee through a peaceful consensus arrangement.

The congress, held at Bishop Nwedo pastoral centre in Umuahia, saw party faithful from all 17 Local Government Areas converge in an atmosphere described by observers as “orderly and unified.”

The turn out of party faithful to the congress was something many analysts said was both amazing and unexpected.

The NDC opted for a harmonized list of candidates which saw Chief Akọ Atuloma emerge as the state chairman of the party. Following hours of deliberations by party stakeholders and elders, the proposed names were presented to the floor and ratified by a unanimous voice vote from the accredited delegates.

The emergence of the new executive is seen as a strategic move to reposition the NDC as a formidable force in Abia State politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.

While the full list of executives is expected to be published later this week, the newly ratified State Chairman, in his acceptance speech, thanked the party members for their maturity and sacrifice.

“I want to thank the delegates from the ward level who participated in the various primaries. I also want to thank delegates who stood the grounds at the LGA level. I’m so proud of you, there were no incidents that would attract the police or attract any of the security agencies.

” Everything went smoothly and we are happy we have arrived at this very day,” he said.

He said the party’s delegates had empowered the new executive to succeed in the coming general elections.“I want to assure you that this executive that I have termed “vehicle of grace” and because we’re a vehicle of grace, we will all succeed come 2027,” he said.

Also speaking during interviews on the sidelines of the event, the chairman said he was confident that the party will exceed expectations in the state and national.

He said although the party was new to the state, it had made significant inroads in all the books and crannies of the state.

“The masses have been yearning for change, NDC symbolises this change. It’s a vessel of this change. I’m not surprised at the massive acceptance of the party by Abia people and Nigerians at large,” he stated.

Other members of the state working committee, the publicity secretary and welfare officer, Mr. Emeka Okoro and Nkeiruka Okpala both expressed optimism in gaining the trust of the electorate.Observers from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were present to monitor the proceedings and ensure compliance with the Electoral Act and the party’s constitution.

Observers say the successful outing in Umuahia sets the stage for the party’s national convention, as the Abia chapter joins several others across the country in formalizing their leadership structures this month.