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 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.

The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party has extended to the Board of Trustees, as the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum’s group intensifies efforts to silence members opposing his leadership.

A reliable party source, speaking on condition of anonymity due to lack of authorisation, disclosed that there is a plan to replace certain Board of Trustees members for being critical of Damagum.

Another source mentioned that the National Working Committee of the PDP will meet on Thursday to address key issues concerning the party’s future.

Since assuming the role of acting National Chairman following Senator Iyorchia Ayu’s court removal, Damagum has faced increasing criticisms from party leaders amid the ongoing PDP crisis, with rising calls for his resignation.

At the 98th NEC meeting on April 18, party leaders approved the formation of a reconciliation and disciplinary committee.

They also decided to hold ward and state congresses and assigned the North Central Caucus with the task of consulting on replacing the acting National Chairman with a permanent one.

The 99th NEC meeting, originally scheduled for August 15, was postponed to October 24, 2024, then rescheduled for November 28, 2024, and is now delayed indefinitely.

The PDP Governors Forum, headed by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, has directed the NWC to convene the NEC by February at the latest.

The Chairman of the PDP BoT, former Senate President Adulphus Wabara, berated the NWC and charged that NEC should hold in February to address all unresolved issues.

Wabra also called on the North Central to nominate Damagum’s replacement.

In addition to the BoT, opposition voices against the Damagum-led NWC have become more vocal since the last postponement.

Sunday PUNCH reported that the camp of former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, which supports Damagum, initiated action against their opponents.

The source told The PUNCH that the Damagum faction, backed by Wike and Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, and Agbu Kefas of Taraba, has infiltrated nearly all PDP organs.

He stated “As we speak, they have taken over almost all organs of the party. Based on how the NWC has been operating for the past two years, I’m sure you know who is behind it. Recently, the Imo State PDP Chairman was appointed as Chairman of the Chairmen Forum, all to serve their purpose. Most NEC members are aligned with them; the only organ left that is critical of their moves is the BoT.

“Already, as we speak, they have also infiltrated the BoT. They are currently plotting to replace some BoT members. The plan is to ensure that the BoT is dominated by their loyalists so that the organ won’t be critical of Damagum’s leadership as it has been in recent times.”

In a related development, a senior NWC member confirmed to our correspondent that the NWC will meet on Thursday to address party matters.

“The NWC will meet tomorrow, Thursday, to discuss party matters. We will also engage with the Cross River State chapter regarding the alleged suspension of the chairman. We plan to address a few issues as we wrap up for the year.”

The PUNCH’s attempts to get a response from Damagum and the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, were unsuccessful, as they neither answered calls nor replied to text messages.

In response, PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, stated that the timing for the NEC meeting had been finalised, confirming that a consensus had been reached to hold the NEC in February.

Osadolor, in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, mentioned that today’s meeting will be a routine gathering to discuss party matters.

He stated, “The concerns of everyone calling for NEC are well understood, but the issue of NEC, I think, is well settled because in February, we have agreed we will hold NEC. It is no longer feasible for the main days of December for NEC to be held. NEC requires a lot of logistics, accommodation, transportation, and security arrangements. So, February, as we have proposed for NEC, is a very viable date.

“Party faithful, leaders, and members calling for NEC should be reassured that February is set in stone; nothing will affect the NEC in February.”

On the NWC meeting, he stated “There is no special agenda for tomorrow’s meeting; it is just a regular NWC meeting, which is part of the ongoing affairs of the party. The only thing I would say is that the NWC should come out with a statement expressing solidarity with Nigerians in the midst of this difficult December.

“We need to make a statement, appeal to the sensibilities of Nigerians, because the way Nigerians are feeling now, we have seen what happened in Syria, we have seen what caused the Arab Spring, the new Armageddons, and this is what we are going through now. So, let’s keep talking to our people to be patient.”

The PUNCH