In Rivers State, the All Progressives Congress raised flags for the party’s chairmanship and councillorship candidates on Thursday, marking the start of their campaigns for the August 30, 2025 elections.
Speaking to a throng that included representatives from every LGA in the state, state APC chairman Chief Tony Okocha reaffirmed the party’s determination to win the 23 chairmanship and councillorship seats, as well as the state’s 319 wards.
Okocha urged party members to take the campaigns to all corners of the state, praising them for their unity in restoring the APC to its rightful position in Rivers politics.
“Every system has its processes, so what we are doing (today) is a ritual,” he stated.
Many of you have been eager to start campaigning on the field. You can now explore every inch of the 319 walls and campaign, as well as the 23 local government zones, after this is finished.
Okocha reiterated his claim that the local council elections held on October 5, 2024, were faulty. Earlier in the month, Okocha had stated that the APC will take part in the council elections at the RSIEC stakeholders conference.
“You will remember that a while back, there was something that was a charade,” he said to the audience on Thursday. Despite APC’s declaration that we would not be taking part, we did not. We gave them our word that there would be no problems. It won’t function. Was it successful? No!
“We are brave, content, and thrilled to stand in front of you today and inform you that the procedures that RISEC has established are correct because they are correct. Our purpose is to assist and adhere to those procedures. Following a screening process, our people were selected as potential chairman and council members.
The chairmen-elect and their deputies are my friends, and I would want to take this opportunity to congratulate them once more. I also like to congratulate the incoming council members and their deputy members. The primaries went smoothly. Did you not hear any fighting? We are telling you that everything is set up since we are a formal political party.
“At this point, we will not merely test the waters. We will not be testing the waters on August 30th, APC. Elections are something we will run for and win. In order to win the 23 local government areas and the 319 wards in Rivers State, we are traveling there to run in this election,” Okocha stated.
Speaking on behalf of Victory Giadom, the APC’s National Vice Chairman (South South), Magnus Ngei Abe, a senator who previously represented Rivers South East, praised the unity and cohesiveness that Tony Okocha had brought about within the party.
He claimed that anyone else in the state claiming to be the party’s leader is breaking the law.
“Rivers State is united,” Abe declared. Everyone who cares about River State is on board with us as we unite as one. It is a waste of time for anyone who is not on board to go around the TV stations claiming to be the party’s leaders.
Together, we are on the go. The APC is open to all residents of Rivers State. He remarked, “Let’s collaborate with the current chairman to bring democracy’s benefits to the people at large.”
The movement to incorporate women into political and governing systems has been praised by Maureen Tamuno, a former Nigerian High Commissioner to Jamaica, Belize, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.
“The women of Rivers State are united in one voice,” she remarked. We are dedicated to the fear of God, which has resulted in the harmony and tranquility that Rivers State currently enjoys.
“As women with a grassroots foundation, we want to reassure you that we will undoubtedly reap the benefits of democracy when the time comes. In order for River State to eventually start enjoying the Renewed Hope of Mr. President,” she stated.
