By Emeka Amaefula
WOMEN TAKE THE STAGE: RIVERS APC HOSTS ONE OF ITS BIGGEST POLITICAL GATHERINGS
The Lemaco Event Centre on Ada George Road, Port Harcourt, throbbed with energy long before the programme began. From the gates to the decorated hall, a vibrant sea of women — confident, determined and united — surged in from all 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State. Their voices blended into a rising anthem of solidarity, signaling the arrival of a new political season. By mid-morning, the hall was filled to the brim, and the charged atmosphere left no doubt that something significant was unfolding for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State.
At the center of the excitement was the presence of the Chairman of the APC in Rivers State, Hon. Chief Tony C. Okocha, KSC, JP, DSSRS, who arrived with his wife, Dame Ogechi Okocha. They joined dignitaries to receive the Wife of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu, represented by the APC National Women Leader, Dr. Mary Allie Idele. Her presence elevated the summit from a routine political gathering to a national moment — one that resonated deeply with the dreams of thousands of women in attendance.
When Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s message was delivered, it landed with the weight of a call to destiny. She declared that the time had come for Nigerian women to take the lead in politics, emphasizing that their voices must no longer be passive, distant, or ignored. Through her representative, Dr. Mary Allie Idele, she reiterated that the APC has consistently demonstrated respect, confidence, and value for women in leadership, noting that across Nigeria, every period of increased female political participation has coincided with visible national development.
The First Lady aligned her message with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that its benefits have reached women in meaningful ways. She urged women to rally behind the President in the coming 2027 election cycle, assuring them that their continued support will strengthen national progress. Senator Tinubu further challenged women to push for the passage of constitutional amendment bills designed to expand women’s representation in politics, insisting that the political voice of women must echo from the wards to the states and across every election in the federation.
The summit’s theme, “The Effectiveness of Women in Politics,” came alive through the contribution of former Rivers State Commissioner for Social Welfare, Hon. Inime Aguma. She spoke passionately about the need for women to rise fully into political roles, arguing that when women rise, nations rise with them. Despite women constituting nearly half of Nigeria’s population, she lamented that their political participation remains unacceptably low. She called for the full implementation of affirmative action, especially the 35 percent women inclusion benchmark, insisting that the country cannot achieve sustainable development while half of its population remains underrepresented. She also acknowledged former Rivers State Governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, noting that during his tenure, women were given remarkable opportunities to serve and contribute meaningfully to state governance.
For the Rivers APC Women Leader, Hon. Darling Amadi, who delivered the welcome address, the summit was much more than a political event. To her, it was a strategic gathering of minds and a platform for women to deepen their understanding of political engagement. She assured everyone that APC women in Rivers State remain firmly committed to the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027 and encouraged participants to seize the summit as an opportunity to learn, network, and strengthen their resolve.
When Chief Tony Okocha mounted the stage for his solidarity speech, he acknowledged the critical support women have shown the Tinubu administration and reiterated that under his watch, the APC in Rivers State has ensured that women are never left behind. He pointed to the recently conducted Local Government Council elections as proof, noting that APC fielded female deputy chairpersons across several LGAs — a deliberate adherence to the United Nations’ 2005 Beijing Affirmative Action policy on women inclusivity in governance. His remarks drew loud applause, reflecting the pride the women felt in seeing tangible evidence of political recognition.
As the summit progressed, the energy in the hall did not wane. Rather, it intensified — a collective affirmation that women in Rivers APC are ready to take their place in the political space with confidence, clarity, and conviction. The day ended with renewed enthusiasm, leaving no doubt that the women of Rivers State have embraced the call to leadership and are prepared to shape the political future ahead.
Emeka Amaefula
+234(0)8111813069