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The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has vowed that the party will capture Rivers State in the 2027 elections.
Naija News reports that Ganduje made this declaration while inaugurating the newly elected state executive of the APC, led by Chief Tony Okocha, in Port Harcourt on Saturday.
Acknowledging the dominance of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-South region, Ganduje highlighted the party’s recent gains in Cross River and Edo States, signaling that Rivers was next on their agenda.
The APC Chairman explained that unlike past practice where state executives were inaugurated at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja, the decision to conduct the ceremony in Rivers was a strategic move to strengthen the party’s grassroots connection.
Ganduje said, “Traditionally in APC, the inauguration of a state chapter is usually done at the headquarters of the APC in Abuja.
“But as part of the changes that we are introducing, we decided to inaugurate these elected committee members here in Rivers State so that our party is rooted to the grassroots. So that there is no dichotomy between the national executive and the state exco.”
He emphasized the importance of unity and coordination between the national leadership and the state exco, stressing that the APC must be actively present and engaged at every level.
“Therefore the state is our constituency. We need to embrace the state. We need to be in contact with the state. We need to be in harmony with the state. We need to synergise with the state and we need to be in love with the state. That is why we are here,” he added.
Addressing the 36-member Okocha-led executive, Ganduje charged them to uphold internal democracy, attract new members, and foster peace within the party’s ranks.
“As members and leaders of our party in the state, you know your basic responsibilities, your functions as spelt out by the constitution of our great party.
“You have to ensure that there is internal democracy. You’re to ensure that you look for new entrants into the party and look for members into the party.
“Use your political dexterity to ensure that our party moves from strength to strength in your constituencies. It is absolutely necessary” he advised.
With 16 members of the APC’s National Working Committee (NWC) present, Ganduje made it clear that capturing Rivers State was a key objective for the party.
“You must ensure an effective conflict resolution mechanism. As leaders of the party, I believe you are equal to the task. You’re from the South-South geo-political zone where the zone was dominated by the PDP.
“But you are fully aware that during the Muhammadu Buhari administration, we were able to take one state, Cross River from the PDP to the APC. And now under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we were able to win Edo State squarely.
“Out of the six states in the zone (South-South), we have recovered two. Rivers State is our target. Rivers State we are here for you. Rivers State you are on the way.
“Therefore I say to you (the new state exco) to bring Rivers State to APC is a task that must be done. With these few remarks, I formally inaugurate the APC State Executive Committee,” he declared.
The inauguration ceremony also featured the administration of the oath of office and allegiance for the new executive by APC National Legal Adviser, Prof. Abdul Kareem Kana, SAN, under the supervision of Chief Victor Giadom, the Deputy National Chairman (South-South).
In his acceptance speech, the new Rivers APC Chairman, Chief Tony Okocha, pledged to lead a united and formidable party capable of unseating the ruling PDP in 2027.
“We are one united party in Rivers State. You (referring to the national leadership) already know that the opponent on the other side is defeated already.
“As a political party what we assure you is that all the rules that are akin to a political party this opposition party is with it and we can exhaust it.
“Our business is not to clap hands for the government in power, but our business is to de-market them and we send this instruction to them that the 2027 APC flag will be erected in Government House in Rivers State,” Okocha stated.
Okocha also sent a message to party members still engaged in litigation, urging them to return to the fold, as the “party is supreme.”
He further urged disgruntled members to set aside court battles and focus on the collective goal of strengthening the party.
“Let me use this opportunity to advise a few of our members who are running round the courts, that we appeal to them that there is nothing else to challenge in courts.
“I did not see the power of the courts that is superior to the party. We are always told that the party is supreme. No other person than the National Chairman himself and the 16 members of the National Working Committee of the party have come to Rivers State to inaugurate us.
“I want to use this medium to encourage them to come back to the party. We are a party team we need to be together. I believe that in party formation the more the merrier. Let us all come back together,” Okocha concluded.
