APC Warri South LGA Congress Produces Richard Pessu as Chairman
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Agbateyiniro, Abido, Agiri, Owumi, Hope George, Others Pledge Victory for Tinubu, Oborevwori in 2027
By Wilson Macaulay
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The Warri South Local Government Area chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has elected Hon. Richard Pessu as its new Chairman following a peaceful and well-attended congress held on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Atuwatse Secondary School, along Esisi Road, Warri.
The congress, which attracted party leaders, stakeholders and members from across the local government area, produced the new executive through a consensus arrangement, with participants emphasizing unity, inclusiveness and grassroots mobilization ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Several party chieftains, including the Executive Chairman of Warri South LGA, Hon. Isaac Weyinmi Agbateyiniro; Prof. Israel Abido; Hon. Dr. Augustine Oroye, member of the Delta State House of Assembly; Hon. Amb. Dr. Tony Agbolayah, Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Development; Hon. Chief Peter Agiri, former Chairman of Warri South LGA; Chief Mrs. Oliva Agbajoh; and Hon. Hope George, pledged to mobilize support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori in 2027.
The newly constituted executive committee, led by Hon. Richard Pessu as Chairman, includes Hon. Ann Gagiyovwe (Vice Chairman), Dafe Ukuvwere (Secretary), Christopher Agbajoh (Assistant Secretary), Exodus Akuruli (Legal Adviser), Eda Ekemere (Treasurer), Blessing Egbaye (Financial Secretary), Emiko Oghomienor (Publicity Secretary), Grace Yimere (Women Leader), Friday Iriferi (Youth Leader), Fatai Onifade (Representative of Persons Living with Disabilities), Isaac Edah Hesse (Auditor) and Maryam Nabiri (Ex-Officio).
The congress also witnessed the formal dissolution of the former executive committee following a motion moved by Hon. Amb. Dr. Tony Agbolayah and seconded by Hon. Dr. Marvis Onojeghwo. The motion was subsequently ratified through a voice vote, and the dissolution was formally pronounced by Hon. Dr. Augustine Oroye.
While performing the dissolution, Oroye commended the impressive turnout of party leaders and stakeholders, describing the exercise as a demonstration of the party’s strength, unity and commitment to democratic ideals.
The Returning Officer, Hon. Lucky Isiorho, who conveyed goodwill messages from the state APC Chairman, Elder Omene Sobotie, declared the Richard Pessu-led executive winners of the congress and administered the oath of office.
He urged party members to abide by the party’s constitution and conduct political activities in the spirit of sportsmanship, affirming that the exercise was transparent and reflective of the will of party faithful in Warri South.
In his remarks, the Executive Chairman of Warri South LGA, Hon. Isaac Weyinmi Agbateyiniro, thanked God for the peaceful conduct of the congress, describing it as a critical milestone in the party’s political journey.
He declared that internal divisions within the party had been resolved, stressing that there was no longer any distinction between “old” and “new” APC members.
“We are now one big family,” he said, while commending party elders, leaders, women and youths for their contributions to the success of the exercise.
Agbateyiniro also praised the outgoing executive led by Hon. Mario Owumi for sustaining the party despite numerous challenges and urged the new leadership to run an inclusive administration.
He expressed optimism that the party would deliver overwhelming victories for President Tinubu and Governor Oborevwori in 2027, citing their development strides at the federal and state levels.
Speaking earlier, the outgoing Warri South APC Chairman, Hon. Mario Owumi, thanked party members and his former executive for their support during his tenure, noting that the party experienced significant growth under his leadership. He pledged the full backing of the outgoing executive to the new administration to ensure continuity and progress.
In his acceptance speech, the new Chairman, Hon. Richard Pessu, expressed gratitude to God and party leaders for the confidence reposed in him, assuring members of purposeful leadership.
He promised to run a transparent, fair and equitable administration, stressing that unity and inclusiveness would remain the guiding principles of his tenure.
Pessu assured party faithful that with collective cooperation, the APC in Warri South would achieve greater heights and secure victory in future elections.
Party elders and stakeholders, including Prof. Israel Abido, Hon. Poko Opuoru, Chief Oliva Agbajoh, Hon. Kenneth Efejuku, Hon. Dr. Tony Agbolayah, Omimi Esq., Chief Vincent Okudolor, Chief Peter Agiri, and Elder Victor Agbateyiniro, described the process that produced the new executive as credible, transparent and reflective of democratic principles.
They expressed confidence that the new leadership would strengthen grassroots support for the party and position the APC for future electoral success.
The congress also produced ward chairmen to strengthen the party’s grassroots structure. Among them are Sunday Ugbokodo (Ward 3, Ogunu/Ekurede), Tosan Sholuwa (GRA Ward 5), Hon. Dr. Chief Westham Adehor, JP (Igbudu Ward 9), Kingsley Omojohwo Oyovwikigho (Okumagba II Ward 12) and Hon. Emmanuel Okandeji (Okere Ward 8), among others.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) monitored the congress through representatives from its Warri office, lending additional credibility to the exercise.
Party leaders described the congress as one of the most peaceful in recent times, noting that the “no victor, no vanquished” spirit demonstrated by members would foster unity and reposition the party for greater political success.
The newly inaugurated Richard Pessu-led executive is expected to commence immediate efforts to consolidate party structures and mobilize support across wards in preparation for the 2027 general elections.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, FEBRUARY 25TH 2026)
