Chief Tony Okocha
By Eric Moore
CHIEF Tony Okocha has emerged as the chairman of the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the next four years.
Okocha was returned the party chairman through consensus votes by party delegates from the 23 local government areas of the state, at the party’s State congress held in Port Harcourt, on Saturday.
Earlier, chairman of the electoral committee for the State congress, Victor Giadom, commended supporters of the party who in spite of the challenges faced by the party, were determined for the growth of the party.
Giadom said: “I am using this opportunity to thank all our faithful supporters that have been committed in spite of the various challenges of the party.
“These challenges are all over by the end of today. At the end of this congress, our party, the All Progressives Congress, will come back to Abuja and the process of reclaiming the Rivers State Government House will start from today.
“Let me thank our leaders, we are very grateful to all of you. This party remains grateful to all of you and fairness, equity will be brought to play in our party going forward.
“Let me use this opportunity to thank the INEC for being a witness to these congress that we elected credible leaders that will pilot the affairs of this party in the next four years.”
In his acceptance speech, Okocha assured that his leadership will work hard to take over the government of the state in 2027.
He expressed optimism that President Bola Tinubu would be returned for second tenure following his administration’s successes in the country.
Okocha stated: “I want to assure you, those days that APC could not conduct and contest elections are over. APC will contest and win election and be in charge of government in Rivers state.
“Our business is to ensure we root out a rudeness government in Rivers State today. By the year 2027, God keeping us alive, we will have election in Rivers State and our target is to ensure that APC takes the lead of governance from Assembly, chairmen of councils, House of Reps, governor and the return of the hero of our time, President Bola Tinubu.
“Let me use this opportunity to say to Nigerians that APC is on course in Nigeria. I am sure you have noticed or heard what has happened at the Port Harcourt refinery some days ago. We have told you so many times that Rome was not built in a day.”