Politics is often won long before election day. It is won through relationship-building, consultations, and the ability to inspire confidence among party members and the electorate. Dr. Coronation Edward Tokpo appears to understand this reality.
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Since emerging as the All Progressives Congress (APC) standard-bearer for the Bayelsa State House of Assembly seat representing Southern Ijaw Constituency I, Dr. Tokpo has wasted little time in reaching out to party leaders, stakeholders and supporters across the constituency.
His emergence is historic. For the first time, an indigene of Otuan Community has secured the APC ticket in a constituency where the party’s ticket has traditionally been dominated by candidates from Amassoma in the Ogboin Clan. That achievement alone carries enormous expectations and presents an opportunity to strengthen unity across the constituency.
Rather than celebrating his victory in isolation, Dr. Tokpo immediately embarked on a series of consultation visits aimed at appreciating party leaders and consolidating support ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Among his first engagements was a thank-you visit to the Bayelsa State Chairman of the APC, Hon. Warman Weri Ogoriba, at the party’s State Secretariat in Amarata. Accompanied by members of his consultation team, Dr. Tokpo expressed gratitude to the leader of the APC in Bayelsa State, Governor Senator Douye Diri, and Deputy Governor Dr. Peter Akpe for ensuring a peaceful, transparent and credible party primary process that produced him as the party’s candidate.
The delegation also reaffirmed Dr. Tokpo’s loyalty to the APC and pledged to work diligently toward securing victory for the party in Southern Ijaw Constituency I.
In response, Hon. Warman Weri Ogoriba assured the team of the continued support of the party leadership and urged all APC faithful to remain united and work for the success of every APC candidate, from the presidential election to the Senate, House of Representatives and the Bayelsa State House of Assembly.
The consultation train also stopped at the office of the Commissioner for Women, Children Affairs, Empowerment and Social Development, Hon. Joanah Gigi, where discussions were held with party stakeholders. The visit served as another opportunity to appreciate key supporters and reinforce the importance of collaboration as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.
Hon. Gigi commended Governor Douye Diri and Deputy Governor Dr. Peter Akpe for fostering an atmosphere that allows democracy and internal party processes to flourish. She equally called on party members to remain united behind all APC candidates in the forthcoming elections.
Another significant milestone came on July 10, 2026, when Dr. Coronation Edward Tokpo officially received his Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination forms from the APC State Chairman, Hon. Warman Weri Ogoriba, at the party’s State Secretariat.
Receiving the nomination forms formally signals the beginning of the next phase of the campaign. While much work still lies ahead, Dr. Tokpo’s early consultations reflect an appreciation of the fact that electoral success depends not only on securing a party ticket but also on building broad-based support across communities.
As the political season unfolds, voters in Southern Ijaw Constituency I will ultimately assess candidates not only by their promises but also by their ability to unite the people, articulate a clear legislative agenda and demonstrate a genuine commitment to public service. Dr. Coronation Tokpo’s early engagements suggest he intends to make those qualities central to his campaign.
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