The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared its readiness to work with Governor Siminalayi Fubara in the interest of peace and stability, as the state anticipates the restoration of democratic institutions and the lifting of emergency rule on September 18.
Speaking at a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, the State APC Chairman, Chief Tony Okocha, said the party would collaborate with the Governor upon his return but would not shy away from holding him accountable.
“The governor who was suspended will return to office on 18th of September. APC will work with him when he returns. There are states where the governor and assembly members are in different parties,” Okocha stated.
He, however, stressed that cooperation would not stop the opposition party from performing its watchdog role.
“We are going to work with him. However, that will not take away our rights to criticize him when he does wrong. But for us, the Local Government Area Chairmen will work with him except that we will not agree to vicious policies,” he added.
On the just-concluded local government elections in the state, Okocha described the exercise as a pointer to the 2027 general elections. He disclosed that the APC strategically avoided fielding candidates in PDP strongholds such as Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt City, and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGAs, choosing instead to concentrate on areas where it had comparative advantage.
“The Rivers State Local Government election is a prelude to what will happen in 2027,” he explained. “It was our own calculated strategy not to field candidates in those LGAs and concentrate only where we have comparative advantage. Remember that Rivers State was a PDP state.”
The APC chairman also expressed optimism about the party’s growing strength, comparing its present status with its weak performance in the 2023 elections.
“In 2023, APC in Rivers State had no shoes, now we are wearing psychedelic shoes,” he said. “We are going to double and redouble our membership for the President. As far as my party is concerned, we will be fielding him for a second term in 2027.”
Okocha further mocked the PDP, claiming the ruling party in the state was collapsing, with members defecting in large numbers to the APC.
“PDP is in tatters and people are leaving them in droves to other parties, and we’re privileged to have them,” he said. “We’ll continue our pleas for PDP members, particularly the FCT Minister, to come over to APC and have peace. PDP is in tatters.”
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