The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje, has said the party’s target is to capture Rivers State in 2027.
Ganduje stated this while inaugurating the newly elected executive committee of the party in the state, led by Chief Tony Okocha in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Saturday.
He said though the South-South geo-political zone is largely controlled by the Peoples Democratic Party, the APC is making inroads in the zone, with Cross River and Edo states already taken by the ruling party.
While congratulating the newly elected state executive members, 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 emphasised that the party will continue to work together at all levels, adding that the APC national leadership is willing to perform functions for its fold even at the ward levels.
Ganduje added, ” 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.”
To the new Rivers State exco, he said, “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.”
Ganduje who led 16 members of the party’s National Working Committee to Rivers State urged the 36-member Okocha-led executive to ensure that there is peace within the party ranks in the state.
He continued, “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.”
Earlier the APC National Legal Adviser, Prof. Abdul Kareem Kana, SAN, administered the oath of allegiance and oath of office on the new state executive after they were called out by the party”s Deputy National Chairman, South-South, Chief Victor Giadom.
Speaking after his inauguration, the State APC Chairman, Okocha, said the party is united in the state and expresses confidence that they will take over the Rivers government House come 2027.
Okocha stated, “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.”
While assuring all that he will continue to preach peace in the party, he urged members who are still pursuing litigation to turn over a new leaf and return to the fold.
“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”, he added.