The political landscape in Rivers State witnessed a significant shift as the All Progressives Congress (APC) elected Chief Tony Okocha as its new chairman in a unanimous decision that signals the party’s renewed determination to challenge the existing power structure in the state. The election, which took place during the party’s state delegate congress in Port Harcourt, marks a crucial step in the opposition party’s strategy to position itself as a formidable force ahead of the 2027 elections.
In a display of party unity that defied skeptics, Okocha, who previously served as the party’s Caretaker Committee Chairman, was elected unopposed alongside other executive members through a voice vote. The proceedings were overseen by Dr. Adoye Omalez, representing the party’s national chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, and supervised by the state’s resident electoral Commissioner, Dr. Joseph Alalibo, lending credibility to the process.
The congress, which attracted party faithful from across the state, demonstrated a level of cohesion that has often been questioned within the Rivers APC. Chief Victor Giadom, the APC National Vice Chairman for the South-South region, highlighted this unity in his remarks, praising the delegates for their peaceful conduct during the state delegate congress. He emphasized that the smooth execution of the electoral process served as concrete evidence of the party’s unified stance in Rivers State.
In his acceptance speech, Okocha seized the moment to address critics who had doubted the party’s ability to conduct peaceful internal elections. He emphasized the voluntary nature of the delegates’ participation, stating, “Our joy is that our members came on their own volition. Nobody cajoled anybody to come, nobody bamboozled anybody to come here for the state primary election.”
The newly elected chairman’s vision for the party appears ambitious yet focused. Okocha laid out a comprehensive strategy that includes targeting victories across all levels of governance – from local assembly seats to the governorship position. His declaration that the APC would “route out a rudderless government in Rivers State” by 2027 sets the tone for what promises to be an intense political battle in the coming years.
Okocha also used the platform to praise President Bola Tinubu’s achievements, particularly highlighting the recent resumption of production at the Port Harcourt Refinery. He presented this as evidence of the APC’s capability to deliver on its promises, noting that similar progress is expected at the Kaduna and Warri refineries following presidential directives.
The chairman’s optimism about national progress under the APC leadership was evident as he addressed the broader context of Nigeria’s development. Rome was not built in a day,” he reminded his audience, suggesting that the visible improvements in the refinery sector represent just the beginning of the party’s planned transformations.
The congress also saw the election of other key party positions, including the Deputy Chairman, State Secretary, Publicity Secretary, State Auditor, women leader, youth leader, and legal advisor. Additionally, zonal leaders were elected to represent the three senatorial districts of the state, completing a full complement of party leadership positions.
The presence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), led by the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, added an official stamp to the proceedings. This oversight ensures that the congress meets constitutional requirements and strengthens the legitimacy of the new executive committee.
Looking ahead, Okocha’s leadership faces the challenge of transforming the party’s renewed unity into electoral success. The APC’s ambition to take control of Rivers State’s governance by 2027 will require sustained effort in building grassroots support, developing effective campaign strategies, and maintaining the current momentum of party cohesion.
The successful conduct of the congress and the emergence of a new executive committee represents a significant milestone in Rivers State’s political evolution. As the opposition party positions itself for the challenges ahead, the political dynamics in the state appear set for an interesting period of increased competition and engagement.
With this new leadership in place, the Rivers State APC seems poised to begin a new chapter in its political journey, one that its members hope will culminate in electoral victory in 2027. The coming months and years will test both the resilience of this unity and the effectiveness of the strategies they employ in pursuit of their political objectives.
