Chairman of the Electoral Panel for the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Assembly primaries, Solomon Ogba, has officially announced the results of the party’s House of Representatives primary elections conducted across Bayelsa State.
The primaries, which held on May 16 and concluded over the weekend, were conducted using the direct primary method in the five federal constituencies of the state in accordance with Section 84(2) of the 2026 Electoral Act.
The exercise attracted party members, aspirants, stakeholders and supporters from various parts of Bayelsa as the ruling party intensified preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Announcing the results after the conclusion of the exercise, Ogba described the primaries as peaceful, transparent and largely successful, commending party members for their orderly conduct throughout the voting process.
According to him, the adoption of the direct primary system gave registered party members the opportunity to participate directly in the selection of candidates, thereby strengthening internal democracy within the APC.
In the closely watched Sagbama–Ekeremor Federal Constituency contest, Bernard Sunday Kenebai emerged victorious to clinch the party’s ticket for the House of Representatives election.
Kenebai, who currently serves as the Deputy Leader of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and represents Sagbama Constituency 2, secured the nomination after polling the highest number of votes cast by party members during the exercise.
His victory is being viewed by political observers as a major development within the APC structure in Bayelsa, especially considering his growing influence within the party and his legislative experience at the state level.
Party supporters who gathered after the announcement celebrated the outcome, describing Kenebai as a grassroots politician with strong political networks across the constituency.
Speaking shortly after being declared winner, Kenebai reportedly thanked party members for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to work toward strengthening the APC’s presence in the constituency.
He assured supporters that he would provide quality representation if elected into the House of Representatives during the 2027 general elections.
The lawmaker also called on other aspirants and party faithful to unite behind the party’s candidates in order to improve the APC’s electoral fortunes in Bayelsa State.
Political analysts believe the Sagbama–Ekeremor contest was one of the most keenly contested races during the primaries because of the strategic importance of the constituency in Bayelsa politics.
Observers also noted that the APC leadership appeared determined to avoid internal crises by ensuring that the primaries were conducted in accordance with the party’s guidelines and the Electoral Act.
Across other federal constituencies in the state, party officials supervised accreditation, voting and collation processes amid tight security and monitoring by stakeholders.
Ogba commended security agencies for maintaining peace and order throughout the exercise, noting that the smooth conduct of the primaries reflected the party’s commitment to credible internal elections.
He urged aggrieved aspirants to channel any complaints through the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms rather than resorting to actions capable of undermining party unity.
The APC electoral panel chairman further expressed confidence that the party would emerge stronger after the primaries and compete effectively in the forthcoming elections.
Bayelsa State has traditionally been considered a stronghold of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but the APC has continued efforts to expand its political base and strengthen its influence ahead of future elections.
Political observers say the emergence of candidates like Kenebai may signal the party’s strategy to field experienced lawmakers and grassroots politicians capable of mobilising support across communities.
The outcome of the primaries is also expected to shape political alignments and negotiations within the state as parties prepare for the larger electoral contest in 2027.
Meanwhile, party faithful in several constituencies have continued consultations and reconciliation meetings aimed at fostering unity after the completion of the primaries.
With the APC now concluding parts of its candidate selection process, attention is gradually shifting toward campaign preparations and possible alliances ahead of the next general elections.
