APC’s Ganduje Targets Rivers State For 2027 Victory, Inaugurates New State Executive

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has set an ambitious goal for the party: capturing Rivers State in the 2027 general elections. Ganduje made this declaration during the inauguration of the newly elected Rivers State executive committee, led by Chief Tony Okocha, in Port Harcourt on Saturday.

Ganduje acknowledged that the South-South geo-political zone is traditionally dominated by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but noted that the APC is making significant progress in the region. He highlighted the party’s successes in Cross River and Edo States as signs of its growing presence in the South-South.

Rooting the Party at the Grassroots

For the first time, the APC broke with tradition by inaugurating the state executive committee outside Abuja. Ganduje explained that this change was part of a broader strategy to deepen the party’s grassroots connections.

“Traditionally, the inauguration of a state chapter is usually done at the headquarters of the APC in Abuja. But as part of the changes we are introducing, we decided to inaugurate these elected committee members here in Rivers State so that our party is rooted to the grassroots,” he stated.

The chairman emphasized the need for synergy between the national leadership and state chapters, urging greater cooperation and harmony. “The state is our constituency. We need to embrace the state. We need to be in contact, harmony, and synergy with the state,” Ganduje said.

Tasking the New State Executive

Addressing the 36-member committee led by Tony Okocha, Ganduje charged them with fostering internal democracy and recruiting new members. He urged them to prioritize peacebuilding and effective conflict resolution within the party.

“You must ensure that there is peace within the party ranks in the state. Bring Rivers State to APC—this is a task that must be done,” he said.

Ganduje expressed confidence that the APC could expand its influence in Rivers State, stating that winning the state is critical to the party’s vision for the South-South.

Okocha’s Confidence in Victory

In his remarks, the newly inaugurated State APC Chairman, Chief Tony Okocha, pledged to unite the party and lead it to victory in 2027. He expressed optimism about the party’s chances, claiming that the opposition PDP was already weakened in Rivers State.

“We are one united party in Rivers State. The 2027 APC flag will be erected in Government House in Rivers State,” Okocha declared.

He also appealed to party members engaged in litigation to reconcile and return to the fold, emphasizing the supremacy of the party over individual grievances.

APC’s Vision for 2027

With Ganduje leading a 16-member delegation of the APC National Working Committee to Rivers State, the party’s commitment to gaining a foothold in the South-South is evident. The APC has successfully turned Cross River and Edo into strongholds, and Rivers State is now the party’s primary focus for expansion.

The inauguration marks a significant step in the APC’s strategy to strengthen its grassroots presence and challenge the dominance of the PDP in the South-South. Whether the party’s efforts will bear fruit in 2027 remains to be seen, but the APC’s leadership is leaving no stone unturned in its bid to secure victory.