Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Saturday, commended leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state for the peaceful conduct of the local government congresses of the party.

Abiodun, who gave this commendation while addressing party faithful at the St. Saviour Anglican Primary, Ikenne, venue of the congress in Ikenne Local Government Area, said the peaceful manner in which the party conducted the exercise was a strong indication that APC remains the party to beat, not  only in Ogun but in Nigeria.

He expressed satisfaction over the consensus approach in electing a 27-man executive committee in  each of the 20 local government areas in the state, noting that the approach would further entrench internal democracy in the party.

Abiodun, while recalling that the recent local government election in the state had been adjudged as the most transparent and fairest, said the building of the party from the bottom would go a long way in making it stronger and prepare it ahead of the general elections come 2023.

The governor, who described the turn out of the party faithful as impressive, thanked APC members for their patience and discipline, which according to him, have further endeared the party to the people.

According to the Governor, the APC, due to  influx of people from other parties, has grown since 2019 to become a dominant party in the State, assuring that no one would be discriminated against as a result of time of joining the party.

"Our party has grown from where we were in 2019 because people from other parties have joined us in large number.

This party is an inclusive party. No one will be discriminated upon whether new or old member. We will give everybody equal opportunity.

He thanked the Wale Ohu-led Local Government Congress Committee for ensuring a rancour free exercise in the state, saying the party would continue to welcome members from other parties.

Abiodun, however, assured that his administration would continue to deliver on the electioneering promises by being inclusive, transparent and equitable.

"As you can see, the turnout here is impressive. Party faithful have conducted themselves in a manner devoid of rancour. We are the party to beat; APC in Ogun will continue to be inclusive and welcome new members from the other parties. 

"I want to sincerely thank our members for their patience and discipline, as well as adherence to the party guidelines for the conduct of the local congress. And to this end, I will like to thank the Wale Ohu-led  Local Congress Committee from the national headquarters of our party. He and his members have done a Yeoman's job in ensuring party directives are adhered to. 

"And I, as the captain of the team in the state, I want to assure you that I will continue to do my best to deliver on my electoral promises", the governor submitted.

In his remarks after monitoring some of the local governments with his team, the Chairman of the State Congress Committee, Wale Ohu noted that the 7- member Committee was sent from the national secretariat of the party to conduct free, fair and rancour free Congress, while applauding members for ensuring a peaceful exercise.

"This Congress is a fallout from the Ward Congress. The exercise in the State is excellent and perfect. We visited the 20 Local Government Areas in the state and we observed orderliness, consensus and it was  great outing for our party members.

"We hope  the party will sustain this and still want to state further that there is no parallel congress anywhere in the state. APC is one and any other thing apart from this is null and void", Ohu  declared.

Three delegates were chosen to represent each local government at the national convention.