The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that the non-inclusive leadership style of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State gives the APC an edge to take over the reins of leadership in the 2023 elections.
It said the “PDP’s inability to run an accountable and transparent government in the past seven years has caused huge frustration in the state and a hunger for change.”
In a statement by the Acting State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Darlington Nwauju, the party appealed to its members to “remain calm and avoid provocation by those who now see defeat starring them in the face.”
According to the statement, “It has become very visible even to the non-partisan public that the current government in the state is daily losing control.
“APC in Rivers State is confident that with the introduction of the BVARS technology by INEC and the assurances from the electoral umpire that the era of cutting corners and gaining undue advantages through the use of incidence forms during elections is over.
“Now, every vote will count. Members of the party and voters in Rivers State are therefore encouraged to guard their PVCs jealously, refrain from unnecessary clashes with obvious losers and follow party directives and advice as 2023 rushes on us.
“Practically speaking, the APC in Rivers State is the only political party in the state with an organic structure of 25 persons in each of the 6,866 polling units across the 319 wards in Rivers State.
“In the coming weeks and months, Rivers people shall understand the reason why we believe those who left the APC recently committed political harakiri by not prognosticating correctly on the age-long political behaviour of Rivers people when it comes to transitions.
“Again, the rumblings in the camp of our neighbours will certainly lead to an internal immolation whose implication can only be understood after elections have been lost and won. Over seven years, they have done everything to cause crisis in the APC, but members of our great party are advised to now avoid trouble and watch the Lord fight our battle as the ruling party is now eating the very poisoned food they cooked for others.
“We assure our teeming supporters that our party remains in good hands under the leadership of our State Chairman, High Chief Emeka Beke, and we shall do all within our powers to lead an issue-based campaign that shall end the impunity and brigandage currently going on in Rivers State.
“An APC government under Pastor (Arch) Tonye Cole mni shall open up the state’s economy to foreign direct investment (FDI), vigorously fight unemployment by stimulating youth empowerment through entrepreneurship and building skill-sets relevant in today’s labour market.
“Education, health, science & technology, agriculture shall not be left out. The Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) that drove human and agro-allied development of the state and other moribund agencies shall be oxygenated to work for Rivers people after May 29, 2023.
“Your duty is to remain calm, clutch your PVC, remain loyal and attentive, and wait for that day.”
