The All Progressives Congress (APC) claims that with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s defection, the party now has a strong leader in the state and is more united.
The party also claims that since Fubara joined the APC, the oil-rich state’s people have embraced the ruling party with growing membership.
Meanwhile, the APC National Working Committee has formed committees to conduct delegate congresses and party public relations.
Shehu Dange, Chairman of the Congress and Primary Committee for Ahoada East State Constituency II, stated that Fubara’s inclusion in the ruling party has strengthened and endeared the party to the people of Rivers State.
According to Danga, the reactions of locals around the constituency during its assignments demonstrate renewed trust in the party’s leadership.
“As we moved around the constituency, we saw the reactions of the people. They are happy with the new development and the emergence of a new leader of the APC in the state.
“Governor Fubara’s leadership has further united the APC family. The party is getting stronger in Rivers State because it now has a leader with focus and direction.”
However, Smart Iheanazor, Secretary of the Delegate Congress and Party Primary Committee for Ahoada East State Constituency II, ascribed the excitement throughout the exercise to the people’s trust in the governor.
Iheanazor said, “Most importantly, while they were chanting ‘Renewed Hope’ in support of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, there was no doubt about their commitment. As we saw, the entire Ahoada area turned out massively.”
Ayoala Peter, Chairman of the Delegate Congress and Party Primary Committee for Khana State Constituency II, stated that party members’ enthusiasm indicates that the APC is well-positioned to win the February 21 bye-elections and the 2027 general elections under Fubara’s leadership.
“Despite the distance between wards and the time it took to reach some of them, party members waited eagerly. We saw their happiness and willingness to participate in the process,” he stated.
Meanwhile, APC committees held ward congresses in Ahoada-East State Constituency II and Khana State Constituency II to elect delegates to vote in the party’s primary before the bye-elections.
The exercise in Ahoada East State Constituency II was overseen by the Congress and Primary Committee, chaired by Shehu Dange, with Barrister Smart Iheanazor serving as secretary and members of the party’s appeal committee.
Observers from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, led by Okogbule Emilia, the Assistant Electoral Officer in Charge of Operations for the Local Government Area, as well as security agencies such as the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force, supervised the process.
Party members participated in the congress via voice vote.
Similarly, the APC congress in Khana State Constituency II took place concurrently, with party leaders overseeing the election of delegates using an open ballot procedure.
Ayoala Peter chaired the exercise, which was observed by INEC officials and security agencies such as the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force.
Five delegates were elected from each ward in the constituencies. The chosen delegates from both constituencies will now take part in the APC primaries to select the party’s candidates for the February 21 House of Assembly byelections in Ahoada East State Constituency II and Khana State Constituency II.
