By Emeka Amaefula
REAL REASONS TONY OKOCHA WAS ELECTED SUBSTANTIVE CHAIRMAN OF APC IN RIVERS STATE -REVEALED
As the delegates from the 23 Local Government Areas on Saturday 30th of November filed out at the APC state Secretariat Aba Road, one thing was uppermost on their minds, which is,how to win elections come 2027. The outgoing Caretaker Committee Chairman of APC in Rivers state, Chief Tony Okocha within one year of his leadership of the Party, he had shown strong evidence that under normal circumstances he will do better and take APC a successful outing come 2027.
Since November 2023 when the 7- man committee member took over the reins of leadership, Chief Tony Okocha has outsmart his predecessors in office. It’s a fact that there must be dissenting voices which is the Hallmark of Democracy as minority must have their say and the majority must have the day’s vote.
It has been uncovered that there are those who are not happy about the political marriage existing between FCT Minister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and Chief Tony Okocha’s All Progressives Congress Party APC, which has been very cordial. And this relationship has brought a lot of political goodies to the members of APC in Rivers state.
Chief Tony Okocha’s enviable past leadership as a Caretaker Committee Chairman actually brought about tangible profits for the members. Unlike what was obtainable with the past suspended Emeka Beke leadership which never participated in the 2019 General Election and failed woefully un the 2023 State election in the Governorship, National Assembly and state House of Assembly even in the Local Government Area election. In 2019, President Nuhammadu Buhari only scored 15 percent in the Presidential election.
To the dissenting voices,Tony Okocha’s victory today will be a serious challenge to de Marketing the government of the day. An anonimous politician in the state told this reporter that ” His continuous presence in office would pose a significant threat to the authority and credibility of the Rivers state government exposing their perceived ineptitude and lack of direction.”
The clarion call for all and sundry to have elected Chief Tony Okocha as the substantive Chairman of APC in Rivers state,it was gathered that it came as a result of the stakeholders of APC in the state who have had remained resilient and United against divisive tendencies and to sowing the seeds of disunity and mistrust.
It’s imperative for all to close ranks and embrace solidarity and cooperation among party leaders irrespective of their personal interests and work towards the emergence of Chief Tony Okocha as the substantive duly elected APC state Chairman which will usher in peace and prosperity of the party especially for the re-election of President Boka Ahmed Tinubu come 2027.
Another anonimous politician in the state, revealed to this reporter that ” members of Rivers state APC deserve a Leader who prioritizes the common interests of members towards building a better future for our party, rather than engaging in petty politics and personal vendetta. It is crucial that the leaders of the party take swift and decisive action in addressing this ot and ensure that unity and integrity of Rivers state APC are preserved. Let us stand together in solidarity against those who seek to sow divis and discord, and work towards a brighter and more prosperous future for our party. Together we can overcome any challenge that comes our way and build a stronger and more united APC in Rivers state.
To the Delegates, before them stood the glittering sterling achievements of Chief Tony Okocha while he was Acting Chairman of APC in Rivers state. He has experience as a former Chief of Staff to the then Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi from 2012 to 2015. Then he was part of those who in 2013 formed APC in the country that witnessed the merger of AD, NPC, New PDP and All Nigerian Peoples Party ANPP.
Chief Tony Okocha in 2023 when he assumed office told his teeming party members ” we have promised ourselves that we will be having exchangee, interfacing with our people calling s meeting and say this is where we are. What are your opinions.” Continuing he said” we have come here to build and not to scatter, perhaps a lot stronger than we met. We are not here to scatter. If we are confrontational, we will not have anything in terms of achievements at the end of the day. We shall encourage all our party adherents, all our party loyalists and all our party supporters to please come on Board with us. We are not know- all and do all. We are prone to human frailties and foibles. Your ideas, your opinions, your suggestions will aid us in achieving this mandate. From ge preponderance of opinions,we will make decisions in the presence of party members. It is not going to be a one- man show, I can assure you.”
Continuing in his remark then , he said “the task ahead of us is a huge one, but with your support, we shall bold a Party that will contest elections, win elections, and take Over the government of the State. We must present a reliable opposition in the state.”
With this taking over the mantle of leadership in the state as APC Rivers state chapter duky elected Chairman of the party he will move into consolidating on his earlier achievements and build more cohesion in establishing Party structure that will withstand the power of the incumbent administration and more strong financial muscles of the present administration so as to wrestle power out from the PDP and take Rivers state to join with the national Government at par with abe political party All Progressives Congress led by former Kano state Governor Alhaji Umar Ganduje PhD.
One of the best qualities of leadership possessed by Chief Tony Okocha is his ability to listen to all sades of opinions and carrying his party asjejolders jong irrespective of the personal interests. He first held several meetings with some potential members of the party upon his resumption of office year ago. Now he will consolidate more in engaging into more consultations. He will give women more inclusive roles to play as they constitute more of the voters in he 4442 electoral polling units across Rivers State. Female stakeholders like Ambassador Dame Maureen Tamuno PhD and Honourable Irene Inimgba and other notable female politicians will be part of his new power brokers tha will give Chief Tony Okocha he strength and support for a successful substantive tenure in office as Chairman of APC Rivers state chapter from December 2014 to December 2027.
—-Emeka Amaefula —+234(0)8111813069———–
