Rivers: We”ll Work With  All Party Stakeholders –  Okocha

● Promises a stronger, progressive party

By PHC Telegraph

 

The newly appointed Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Tony Okocha says he and members of his team will work hard to reposition the party in Rivers State.

Speaking to the Port Harcourt Telegraph Wednesday night, Okocha who is now in Port Harcourt to assume responsibility promised to work with all stakeholders to rebuild the party.

He said the time has come to place the APC on a very strong footing, stressing that the new leadership would work round the clock to ensure that the party is able to win future elections in the State.

Okocha urged APC members to come together, promising that every effort will be made by the party to avoid mistakes of the past which created room for disunity.

Okocha was named Caretaker Chairman after the National Working Committee, NWC, ordered the demolition of all party structures in the State.

Other members of the Caretaker Committee saddled with the task of re-branding the APC are Chief Eric Nwibani, Secretary,  Hon. Chibuike Ikenga (member), Prince Stephen Abolo (member), Hon. Silvester Vidin (member), Senibo Karibi Dan-Jumbo (member) and Miss Darling Amadi (member).

Speaking while having an interactive session with journalists at the end of the NWC meeting in Abuja, the Publicity Secretary of the APC, Felix Morka revealed that the party’s decision was signed by the National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje and the Deputy National Secretary, Barr. Festus Fuanter.

“The NWC of the APC at its meeting on 22 November 2023 and under the powers conferred upon it by the NEC of the party and by the provision of Article 13 and recognizing compelling circumstances that have arisen in the Rivers state chapter necessitating decisive actions hereby resolves that the executive committees of the party in Rivers state at all levels are dissolved”, Morka remarked.

Primarily, the caretaker committee will facilitate the emergence of new executive committees from wards to the state and conduct a comprehensive e-registration of all members.

Okocha is seen in some circles as a loyalist of the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike.

The former Chief of Staff to Amaechi had insisted in June that Wike astutely worked to deliver President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and so should deserve the ministerial slot meant for Rivers State.

His elevation as State Caretaker Committee Chairman has reaffirmed the fact that the former Governor of Rivers State has become the Godfather of Rivers politics.

Although Wike is still a member of the PDP, most APC members as well as frontliners of other smaller political parties in Rivers State see him as their leader.