The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has confidently announced that his party is poised to assume leadership in Rivers State in the near future. This declaration reflects the APC’s strategic plans and ambitions to expand its influence within the region.
Ganduje emphasized that the Rivers State chapter of the APC would undergo a comprehensive process of “rebuilding and repositioning” to establish a formidable stronghold within the state. He outlined plans to revitalize the party’s structure, enhance grassroots engagement, and strengthen relationships with local communities.
By focusing on strategic outreach and effective governance, Ganduje believes the APC can effectively address the concerns of the populace and secure a lasting influence in the region. He spoke when Dawari Ibietela George, the 2023 governorship candidate of the Action Alliance, AA, defected to the APC. Ganduje highlighted the party’s commitment to embracing diverse interests while ensuring fairness.
The APC National Chairman described George as a “big fish” and commended his political acumen, expressing confidence in his ability to strengthen the party’s influence. “Rivers State will be completely APC,” Ganduje declared while underscoring his expectations from George’s return to the party. He welcomed George and assured him that a robust structure would be established to accommodate him and other returning members.
“You are now equal members with every other member of the party. We are bent on widening democracy in the country,” Ganduje added. Ganduje’s declaration comes amid the political struggle between Governor Sim Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike. There are claims that Wike was working with the embattled former state chairman of the APC, Tony Okocha, but Wike has denied it.
However, Okocha recently disclosed that Fubara would be de-marketed ahead of the 2027 governorship election in the state. This political landscape highlights the APC's commitment to consolidating power and addressing the dynamics of local governance in Rivers State, as Ganduje remains optimistic about the party's future endeavors in the region.