The Forum of All Progressives Congress (APC) State Chairmen has promised to join efforts with the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party to grow its democratic ethos and build cohesion.
Mr Cornelius Ogar, acting Secretary of forum, made this pledge at a news conference held at the party’s national secretariat on Thursday in Abuja.
He said the forum would also work with the party’s NWC and its leadership to bring a lasting peace in its chapters where there were unresolved issues.
Ogar said the forum, at an earlier meeting, discussed issues concerning the party’s democratic ethos and its success under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.
“While the forum has resolved to have close door meetings with the leadership of the NWC and Government, we considered it necessary to discuss its recent actions under the leadership of Dr Abdullahi Ganduje.’’
He said it was especially with respect to the extension granted to the Rivers APC Caretaker Committee led by Chief Tony Okocha.
Ogar appreciated Ganduje for his firm stance by the decision of APC Rivers Executive Committee which suspended the erstwhile executive of Chief Emeka Beke, who was further restrained by Rivers High Court.
He said the Okocha-led Rivers caretaker executives committee had made APC in the state one of the most active, resilient and vibrant chapters in the last seven months.
According to Ogar, Okocha’s leadership had given a new lease of life to the doldrums and docility that once pervaded the political landscape of APC in Rivers prior to the 2023 general election.
“As a forum, we have therefore resolved to join our voices to commend the decision of the NWC in this regard.
“We pledge to continue our dialogue with the committee to grow our democratic ethos, to build cohesion and to bring lasting peace in every chapter of our party where there are unresolved issues.’
He added that the forum, in reviewing the situation that almost cost the party its electoral fortune in Rivers, singled out major actors whose contributions led to its victory in the 2023 presidential election.
Ogar noted that the sincere, honest and conscientious belief of such actors in the principle of fair play and power rotation between the North and South, motivated them to give their full support to Tinubu’s candidacy then.
He said that the gesture did not only actualise Tinubu’s electoral victory, but stood Rivers out as the only state in the entire South-South region where APC won the 2023 presidential election.
Ogar said the forum among others, singled out Nyesom Wike as a performing minister of the Tinubu-led government whose works were visible in all facets.
“His massive infrastructural development of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), security measures, human capital development, among others are highly appreciated.
“We commend him and express our deep appreciation and solidarity for his distinctive delivery,” he said.
