APC flags off LG election campaign in Rivers, insists on party unity 

The South-South Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Victor Giadom, has affirmed that the party in Rivers State remains united, strong, and committed to delivering the dividends of democracy.

Giadom made the statement on Thursday in Port Harcourt during the party’s campaign flag-off for the August 30 local government election in Rivers State.

Represented by former Senator representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District, Magnus Abe, Giadom criticized individuals who, according to him, go on radio and television to give the impression that the APC in the state is divided.

Giadom said, “The APC in Rivers State is united. The APC in Rivers State is strong. The APC in Rivers State is ready to deliver the dividends of democracy to the grassroots.

“Everybody in Rivers State is welcome to join the APC. Let us work together.

“The current chairmen and councillors of our party, you are now the faces of the Renewed Hope Agenda at the grassroots.

“You are the Tinubu that Rivers people will now look up to.

“We know that you will not disappoint us. The election, looking at this crowd here, is a no contest. We are together and we will deliver,” he added.

On his part, the Chairman of the party in the state, Tony Okocha, said the APC is participating in the Local Government Council elections because it believes that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, is conducting the election in line with due standards.

Okocha made the statement in comparison with the LG elections conducted by the now-dissolved RSIEC board under the leadership of retired Justice Adolphus Enebeli.

He said, “And that which was a charade, the APC said we were not going to participate and we didn’t participate. And we told them that it will not work and it didn’t work.

“Today, we are bold, we are happy, we are excited to tell you that because the processes put in place by RSIEC are right, we are here to follow and support those processes.”

Enebeli was the Chairman of RSIEC before Governor Siminalayi Fubara was suspended by President Bola Tinubu.

Enebeli and the RSIEC board under his leadership were dissolved by the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, who was appointed on March 18, 2025, by President Tinubu.

Speaking further at the flag-off campaign, Okocha expressed optimism that the APC would not only participate but also secure victories across the positions contested in the 23 LGAs.

Before presenting flags to the party’s candidates, Okocha said the APC under his leadership had been revitalised, citing the large turnout at the rally as proof that the party remains strong and well-grounded in Rivers State.

He stressed that their strategy of building strongholds at the local government level is part of a broader plan to consolidate support for President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Okocha urged party members and supporters to maintain peace before, during, and after the polls.

He added, “We are not just going to test the waters on August 30, we are going to contest and win the elections in the 23 LGAs and the 319 wards in Rivers State.

“I’m sure you are aware of the marriage of politicians in Rivers State weaved together by a son of the soil, under the umbrella of the Renewed Hope 2025.”

He urged party members to, “Go and campaign. Go and become fishers of men. We do not expect any violence because our party is not violent.

“You know we have taken this party out of the doldrums, now we are taking the lead. Let us maintain that level and standard.”

APC flags off LG election campaign in Rivers, insists on party unity