The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, said the party’s aim is to establish a stronger presence in Rivers State by 2027.
Ganduje outlined the party’s plans on Saturday during the inauguration of Tony Okocha and 22 others as members of the Rivers State executive committee of the APC.
The event, held in Rivers State rather than at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja, underscored a focus on local engagement.
“We decided to inaugurate the elected executive members here in Rivers so that our party is rooted in the grassroots,” Ganduje said. “There should be no dichotomy between the national executive and the state exco.”
Ganduje highlighted the APC’s progress in the South-South, a region historically dominated by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He cited victories in Cross River under Muhammadu Buhari’s presidency and Edo under Bola Tinubu’s administration as signs of the party’s expanding influence.
“You are from the South-South geopolitical zone, where the zone was dominated by the PDP,” he said. “But you are fully aware that during the Buhari administration, we were able to take one state, Cross River, from the PDP. And in the 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.”
Ganduje called on the newly inaugurated executive members to work together, grow the party’s membership, and uphold internal democracy.
“As members and leaders of our party in the state, you know your basic responsibilities,” he said. “You have to ensure that there is internal democracy. You’re to ensure that you look for new entrants into the party and strengthen the party in your constituencies. It is absolutely necessary.”
He also stressed the need for grassroots mobilization and conflict resolution.
“We are all working together, and we don’t feel reluctant even to go to the ward level to undertake our functions. The state is our constituency. We need to embrace the state, be in contact with the state, and work in harmony with the state,” Ganduje said.
“Use your political dexterity to ensure that our party moves forward. As leaders of the party, I believe you are equal to the task. It is your responsibility to ensure that there is peace, and you must ensure an effective conflict resolution mechanism.”
Ganduje expressed confidence in the new leadership’s capacity to strengthen the party in Rivers State ahead of the next electoral cycle.
