Abdullahi Ganduje, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC),has announced the party’s intention to make Rivers state a stronghold by 2027.
Ganduje spoke on Saturday while inaugurating Tony Okocha and 22 individuals as executive members of APC in the state.
Ganduje said the APC is gradually making gains in a zone traditionally controlled by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He cited the party’s successes in Cross River state during Muhammadu Buhari’s presidency and Edo state under President Bola Tinubu as signs of progress.
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“You are from the South-South geo-politcal 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,” he said.
“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.”
The APC chairman urged the new executive members to work in unity, expand the party’s membership, and ensure internal democracy.
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“I’ll 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,” he said.
“But as part of the change that we are introducing, we decided to inaugurate this 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.”
Ganduje also tasked them on grassroots mobilisation, and effective conflict resolution.
“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. 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,” he said.
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“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.”
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