Members of the APC in Rivers State who want to serve the party at the ward, local and state levels are presently acquiring forms for elective positions from the State Party Secretariat.
Although the number of forms sold are not yet known, the exercise is going on without any hitches.
Unlike the past, when forms were allegedly hoarded from contestants, we have learnt that the Caretaker Committee headed by Barrister Isaac Ogbobula has thrown the door open to all who have obtained bank tellers and want forms to contest in the forthcoming party congress.
Tuesday, there was a stakeholders meeting at the new party Secretariat along Woji Road in GRA.
According to what we have pieced together, members were given tips on what to do in line with guidelines set out by the National Secretariat.
That meeting which took place in the afternoon was attended by loyalists of Senator Magnus Abe and the Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
It was later followed by a closed door meeting held in the office of the Chairman where discussions, which could advance the realization of the consensus agenda that the National Secretariat of the APC is currently backing, went on.
Also loyalists of what used to be seen as factions of the party were present. Information gleaned from party members show that the meeting was absolutely peaceful.
There have been protests at the national level by persons who are kicking against the consensus arrangement that the National Secretariat has introduced.
This group is pushing for open contests, saying that the consensus approach might blunt attempts to deepen internal democracy.
It is similarly arguing that the party may be denied effective leadership if it goes ahead with the consensus plan.
So far, there has been no reaction either from the APC headquarters or prominent members of the party.
Apparently, major stakeholders appear to be towing the directive that has been put in place.
Within the APC in Rivers State which is acting more like a tight-knit political family at this time, many political observers here think the worst days;days of uncertainty and strife; are nearly over.
It would however be up to the APC to prove that it can weather the storm; that tolerancr and understanding can be given a pride of place.
Most who picked forms Wednesday, according to information, were largely drawn from the so-called Abe camp whose members are gradually becoming part of the political mainstream.
Thus far, candidates nursing ambitions to contest and win the support of delegates in the forthcoming party congresses, which will begin on Saturday, are already filling their forms.
Some others have started returning completed forms in readiness for a screening process which is planned to take place before the congress.
Meanwhile, attention has turned to the Rivers grassroots, where the intensification of ongoing talks that many expect would see members of the party playing together,are currently taking place.
If the APC is to get everyone on board, political analysts say, it is at the political grassroots that success would be achieved, especially since all politics is seen as local.
Reports say supporters of Senator Abe in the Ogoni areas are likely to gather on Thursday.
They are being requested to come along with their passports,according to sources that are in touch with the Telegraph.
This may mean that the purpose of the meeting might not be unconnected with efforts to successfully complete the forms and return them on time.
Dazed by what appears to be genuine moves by the APC membership to close ranks, the PDP is watching from the sidelines and hoping that there could be renewed hostilities within the ranks of the opposition.
Senator Wilson Ake had said those who think they have the capacity to infiltrate the APC and cause confusion would be in for a major shock.
So far, Ake’s reading of the political minefield appears to be holding out. The clock ticks as Rivers people watch developments and the countdown in the APC begins.
Telegraph’s political desk would be updating its readers on unfolding developments within the political turf.