As New APC Excos Take OfficeThe National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has vowed that the party will secure victory in Rivers State in the 2027 elections. Ganduje made this statement on Saturday during the inauguration of the newly elected state executive, led by Chief Tony Okocha, in Port Harcourt.
Acknowledging the dominance of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-South, Ganduje pointed to the APC’s recent successes in Cross River and Edo States, signaling that Rivers is next on their radar. He explained that the decision to hold the inauguration in Rivers State, rather than at the national headquarters in Abuja, was a strategic move to strengthen the party’s grassroots presence.
Ganduje said, “Traditionally, the inauguration of state chapters is done in Abuja, but as part of our new approach, we chose to conduct it here in Rivers to ensure the party is deeply rooted at the grassroots. We want to eliminate any divide between the national executive and the state leadership.”
He emphasized the importance of unity and coordination between the national leadership and the state executives, urging the APC to remain actively engaged at every level of governance.
“Our priority is to embrace the state, work in harmony with the people, and ensure our presence is felt. That’s why we are here,” Ganduje added.
The APC Chairman urged the new 36-member executive led by Okocha to uphold internal democracy, attract new members, and promote peace within the party. He charged them to strengthen the party’s presence in their constituencies, saying, “You must ensure internal democracy and bring new members into the party. Use your political skills to make the APC stronger in your areas. This is essential for our success.”
With 16 members of the APC’s National Working Committee (NWC) present at the event, Ganduje made it clear that Rivers State is a key focus for the party.
“You are in the South-South, a region historically dominated by the PDP, but under President Muhammadu Buhari, we successfully moved Cross River to the APC. Now, under President Bola Tinubu, we have won Edo. Out of the six states in the zone, we’ve already captured two, and Rivers is next,” Ganduje declared.
He concluded by stating, “Bringing Rivers to APC is a task that must be accomplished.”
The ceremony also included the administration of the oath of office and allegiance for the new executives by the 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 unified and powerful party capable of unseating the PDP in the 2027 elections.
“We are one united party in Rivers State, and the opposition is already defeated. We are not here to praise the government in power; we are here to challenge them. In 2027, the APC flag will fly in Government House in Rivers State,” Okocha declared.
He also called on party members involved in legal battles to return to the fold, stressing that the party’s supremacy should take precedence over court cases.
“I urge those engaged in litigation to join us and work for the common goal. The party is supreme, and we need to unite. Let’s come together to strengthen our party and focus on our shared objective,” Okocha concluded.
