The Peoples Democratic Party in Bayelsa State has chosen new leaders across the eight local government areas of the state after conducting party congresses over the weekend.
The congresses were held in different council headquarters and ended peacefully, with party members agreeing on candidates through consensus arrangements.
The exercise was monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, while delegates from all 105 wards in the state participated in the process at their respective local government headquarters.
The congresses were organised to fill leadership positions within the party structure and strengthen its organisation ahead of future elections.
Speaking during the exercise at the Ogbia Local Government Centre on Saturday, the caretaker chairman of the PDP in Bayelsa State, George Turnah, said the people of Ogbia and the wider Bayelsa community have continued to show loyalty to the party over the years.
According to him, the party has played a major role in producing leaders who have served both the state and the country at different levels of government.
Turnah also spoke about the party’s political plans for the coming years. He said the PDP is preparing to regain control of the state in future elections. According to him, the party is already mobilising its members and supporters ahead of the 2027 general election and the 2028 governorship election scheduled to take place in Bayelsa State.
He warned politicians who left the party for other political platforms that the PDP intends to strengthen its structure and recover its political influence in the state. Turnah explained that the party still maintains strong support among residents and grassroots members.
While discussing the history of the party in Bayelsa, he noted that the PDP has produced several leaders from the state who later served in important national and state positions.
These roles include deputy governors and even individuals who once served as acting president of the country.
Turnah also expressed appreciation for the contributions of key political figures within the party. He acknowledged the role of a PDP faction leader, Nyesom Wike, for his leadership within the party.
He also commended the Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, for maintaining a peaceful political environment in the state where political parties can operate without fear.
The caretaker chairman also mentioned the involvement of the electoral body in supervising the congresses. According to him, the presence of INEC officials during the process showed that the party was committed to conducting its internal activities in line with democratic procedures.
After the congress, the newly elected chairman of the PDP in Ogbia Local Government Area, Ofoni Morgan, also spoke about the party’s position in the state. He said Bayelsa has long been regarded as a strong base for the PDP and that party members are determined to maintain that tradition.
Morgan explained that the new leadership in Ogbia would work with other party structures across the state to strengthen the PDP ahead of future elections.
According to him, party members in the area are prepared to support efforts aimed at returning the party to power in the state.
The congresses that produced the new leaders are seen by party members as part of efforts to rebuild the party’s structure at the grassroots level.
Party officials believe that strong leadership at the local government level will help mobilise supporters and prepare the organisation for upcoming political contests in Bayelsa State.