The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, has affirmed that Chief Tony Okocha is the leader of the party in Rivers State.

According to Ganduje, the executive committee headed by Okocha, an ally of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, minister, Nyesom Wike, is the Rivers State APC leadership structure recognized by the national secretariat of the party.

Ganduje made this declaration on Saturday in Port Harcourt during the inauguration of the newly elected state executive committee of the party.

The APC national chairman congratulated the newly elected members and explained the party’s decision to hold the inauguration in Rivers State instead of at the APC National Headquarters in Abuja.

Ganduje said, “I’d like to congratulate the newly elected members of our state executive.

“Traditionally in APC the inauguration of a state chapter is usually done at the state headquarters of the APC in Abuja.

“But as part of the change that we are introducing, we decided to inaugurate these elected executive members here in Rivers so that our party is rooted to the grassroots; so that there is no dichotomy between the national executive and the state exco.

“We are all working together and we don’t feel reluctant even to go to the ward level and undertake our function that is for APC.

He emphasized that the move signifies the party’s effort to strengthen ties between the national and state leadership, ensuring there is no division between the two structures.

Ganduje charged the state executive committee to prioritize internal democracy, highlighting it as a cornerstone of their responsibilities.

He also underscored the importance of fostering unity and inclusiveness within the party at the state level.

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.

“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 forward. Strengthen the party in your constituencies. It is absolutely necessary. It is your responsibility to ensure that there is peace and you must ensure an effective conflict resolution mechanism. As leaders of the party, I believe you are equal to the task.”

Commenting on APC’s performance in the South-South geopolitical zone, traditionally dominated by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ganduje noted that the APC has made significant progress, citing its control of Cross River and Edo states.

He further stated that Rivers State is the party’s next strategic target as it continues its expansion efforts in the region.

“You are from the South-South geo-political zone where the zone was dominated by the PDP.

“But you are fully aware that during the Buhari administration, we were able to take one state, Cross River, from the PDP.

“And in present President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration, we were able to win squarely in Edo State. Out of six states in the zone, we have recovered two.

“Rivers State is our target. Rivers, we are here for you. Rivers, you are on the way.”

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has boasted that the party’s target is to wrestle Rivers state from the grip of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) come 2027.

Ganduje made this known in Port Harcourt during the inauguration of the state working committee on Saturday. He was accompanied by top officials of the party who expressed their support for the new Exco in the state.

In his address, the party’s national South-South vice chairman, Victor Giadom, said the party is gearing up to take over the state.

This inauguration was held despite question marks around the legality of the process.

The national legal adviser administers the oath of office to the Exco.

In his vote of thanks, the leader of the Exco praises his team, saying they’ve done well,

For the national chairman, however, the aim is to bring Rivers into the fold and increase APC’s states in the zone to three.

Though the party’s NWC recognizes the Tony Okocha-led Exco, there is a court judgement recognizing Emeka Beke as the party’s chairman in the state which is yet to be vacated and it’s still unclear how that will affect the party going into 2025.

The daughter of former Delta State governor, James Ibori, and representative of Ethiope Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, has described her defection from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC, as the best decision of her political career.

This is as Ibori-Suenu accused the PDP of attempting to stifle her political aspirations.

She also expressed gratitude to her supporters and APC leaders for their encouragement.

“We will bury PDP in Ologbo River, the bridge between Delta and Edo states. I am already at home – APC is supreme.

“The people in PDP wanted to kill my political aspirations, but thank God, I have finally left,” she said.

DAILY POST recalls that Ibori-Suenu recently defected from the PDP to the APC.

The immediate past Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege,
hailed Ibori-Suenu’s defection, describing her as a political bulldozer.

Omo-Agege expressed confidence that her move, along with the support of other APC members, would help the party secure Delta State in the 2027 elections.

“With Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu’s support, the APC is better positioned to take over Delta.

“Her energy and dedication will greatly strengthen our chances,” Omo-Agege said.