From Kenechukwu Obiajuru, Yenagoa
Chief Barrister Rex Ogbuku, brother to the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has emerged winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primary for Ogbia Federal Constituency in Ward 3.
The primary was held on Tuesday at the ward headquarters in Ologi community in Ogbia local government and supervised by the returning officer, Hon. Oberiakuma Yousuo.
According to the official result announced by Yousuo, Ogbuku polled 6,713 votes to defeat his opponent, Hon. Jeremiah Golden, who scored 3 votes.
“Having scored the highest number of 6,713 votes, Barrister Rex Ogbuku is hereby declared winner of today’s primaries,” Yousuo said.
He added that the exercise followed a rigorous counting process of all party members present and was conducted under the authority of the APC and its chairman, Hon. Chief Woman Ogoriba.
Speaking after the exercise, NDDC Managing Director Chief Sam Ogbuku described the process as peaceful and credible, saying it showed the APC was ready for the general election.
“The process was very, very peaceful and very, very credible. This shows that the APC as a party is ready to win the general election. If it were filled with rancor, we would have gone into the general election with a divided party,” he said.
Ogbuku said he accepted the outcome as the choice of the people. “It is not my confidence, it is the confidence of the people. The people chose and made their choice, and I have no reason to discredit the personality of the winner,” he stated.
He also commended Governor Douye Diri for encouraging aspirants across the state to step down where necessary to allow harmonization. “There has been harmonization in many local governments and federal constituencies across the state. That is why we have this peaceful atmosphere. The credit should go to the governor. He has done well,” he said.
Looking ahead to the 2027 election, Ogbuku expressed confidence that APC would prevail in Bayelsa, describing the state as “the home of APC.” He said he expected other parties to conduct their primaries peacefully and urged INEC and security agencies to ensure a credible process.
“We will give them a level playing ground for them to try, but the chances of APC winning this election are very, very wide,” he said.
Speaking after his victory, Barrister Rex Ogbuko said the turnout exceeded expectations and reflected the electorate’s preparedness.
“As you can see, it’s an indication that the people of Ward 3, Ogbia, Bayelsa State, are ready for the forthcoming election. At first I got scared, but when they came out, they proved that yes, we are ready for the election. I am very, very happy with the turnout,” he said.
On contesting against the incumbent, Ogbuku said he was confident in his chances. “We think and know very well that we are better, and the people of Ogbia are there to always speak. Go and check your history and you know Ogbia speaks definitely. I’m sure that what you’ve seen here will be the result,” he added.
Party members and observers described the turnout as impressive and said it demonstrated strong grassroots mobilization ahead of the main election.
