In a show of unity and political calculation ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Bayelsa State Chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has elected a 33-member State Executive Committee through a consensus arrangement.
According to the party, the new leadership will pilot the affairs of the party for the next four years.
The state congress, held on Saturday at the party’s Secretariat in Yenagoa, was devoid of the rancour and factional contests that often characterise Nigerian party politics.
All 33 positions were unopposed, with party leaders adopting consensus as provided for in the ADC constitution.
The congress produced Johnny Tovie Rerek as the new State Chairman. He will be deputised by Oyintonye G. Omukago, while Victor Eritei emerged as the State Secretary. The remaining 30 executive members were also ratified without opposition.
In his acceptance speech, Chairman Johnny Tovie Rerek thanked party faithful for entrusting him with the mandate and immediately set the tone for 2027.
“Nigeria is bedevilled with serious issues. It takes the strong and the bold to stand and correct the anomalies in this nation,” Rerek declared.
Taking direct aim at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, widely known as “Jagaban,” Rerek dismissed the President’s reputation as a master political strategist.
“It is often said there is one man who has a strategy, they call him Jagaban. But I want you to know that he is not the super strategist. The ADC has better strategies to take him out as the president.”
He insisted that Bayelsa ADC would not practice politics as usual. “With my leadership, we are ready to face it. In a couple of days, the ADC is going to roll out our policies and strategies to map the way forward and ensure that we take over the states.”
“The African Democratic Congress is strategically positioned to not only take over power, but to use the power for the benefit of the people. This is what makes us different and stands us out from every other political party.”
He expressed confidence that the party would secure multiple legislative seats, assuring members that “many ADC members will clinch positions in the forthcoming general elections in the state and national assembly.”
Tamkivie Eseimo, Chairman of the State Congress Planning Committee, said the peaceful consensus model was a strategic choice to foster unity and continuity.
“This is a very simple one because we adopted a peaceful approach, an approach that is free from rancour. We tried our best to see that all interests came together in consensus and agreed on those that will pilot the affairs of the party for the next four years,” Eseimo explained.
He emphasised that the process fully complied with the party’s constitution. “We have no position out of the 33 where an opposition exists. All have been streamlined so that we have one candidate contesting for each position. By implication, we are upholding the provision of the party’s constitution, allowing us to adopt consensus instead of elections.”
Eseimo urged members to protect the party’s image and throw their weight behind its 2027 ambition. “We believe strongly that by the grace of God, ADC will take the lead when we consider the leadership of our great country, Nigeria. Whatever will give a bad image or name to ADC, please help us at your level, individually or collectively, to see that they are put aside.”
He thanked party members for their tireless work to ensure the congress was held, adding: “Please, do the best you can do to support ADC to enable it to succeed in its bid for the 2027 Nigeria General Elections.”
With its new executive in place and a combative message directed at the ruling APC, Bayelsa ADC is signalling early intent to be a major player in the next electoral cycle.
All eyes will now be on the policy and strategy document Rerek promised to unveil “in a couple of days.”
