Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, Chief Ayiri Emami, has announced that the party will adopt an open primary system for selecting candidates for the House of Assembly, local government chairmanship, and councillorship positions as preparations begin for the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during a gathering at the residence of Prince Francis Agbowosile in Warri, Delta State, Emami emphasized that while the APC had welcomed several new entrants from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the integration agreement that led to the collapse of the PDP’s leadership structure into the APC was solely applicable to the state governor, Sheriff Oborevwori.
He urged both long-standing APC members and newcomers—especially former PDP loyalists—to prioritize the unity and progress of the APC. Emami also reaffirmed his unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, calling on party members to rally behind the president’s leadership.
He took the opportunity to commend the APC’s 2023 governorship candidate in Delta State, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, for his pivotal role in establishing and strengthening the party’s political foundation before others joined the movement. Emami emphasized the importance of recognizing the efforts of original party leaders, stating that their contributions remain the backbone of the APC in Delta.
Reflecting on his 50th birthday celebration, which took place while he was abroad, Emami expressed gratitude to Prince Francis Agbowosile for organizing the event in his absence, coinciding with the period when the PDP officially merged its structure with the APC.
He concluded by stressing that no aspirant would be handed an automatic ticket for elective positions in Delta APC. “All aspirants must participate in a transparent and competitive primary process,” he stated, adding, “We must respect the foundation laid by leaders like Chief Ovie Omo-Agege, who championed the APC’s growth while also campaigning for President Tinubu.”
