By Jude Opara, Abuja
Apparently basking in the euphoria of the successes recorded in Edo and Ondo states, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdulahi Ganduje has announced the party’s next agenda is to make Rivers state its stronghold by 2027.
Ganduje spoke over the weekend in Port Harcourt while inaugurating the Chief Tony Okocha led State Executive Committee members of the APC in the state.
He added that the APC is gradually making gains in a zone traditionally under the control of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The former governor of Kano state gave instances with the party’s successes in Cross River state during Muhammadu Buhari’s presidency and the victory in Edo state under reign of President Bola Tinubu as signs of progress.
“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.
“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 further urged the new executive members to work in unity, expand the party’s membership, and ensure the sustenance of internal democracy.
“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 national headquarters of the APC in Abuja.
“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, he added.”
The APC boss also admonished the party to mobilize and canvass for members from the wards and local governments.
“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.
“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,” he concluded.
