From Jefferson Ibiwale, Benin

The Edo chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, conducted a peaceful local government congress across the state on Tuesday.

There had been apprehension in the party, following the protest that greeted its ward congress, but the exercise was conducted peacefully in all the 18 local government areas of the three senatorial districts of the state.

Some of the delegates from Oredo, Egor and Ikpoba Okha senatorial districts who spoke with newsmen, expressed satisfaction with the process and commended the party for allowing the people to adopt the consensus in choosing their ward executives.

It would be recalled that the previous congress held last Tuesday was marred by violence and other irregularities, evoking protests and calls for its cancellation.

However, men of the Nigeria Police were on ground today at all the venues of the congress to forestall breakdown of law and order in the election that lasted between of 11 am and 1 pm.

The local government congress was initially rescheduled for Saturday but was later pushed forward to Tuesday to allow for the conclusion of the postponed ward congresses.

The state congress is expected to hold on April 23.