APC Clarifies Decision to Surrender 3 LGs in Rivers, Invites Wike to Join

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has defended its decision not to field candidates in the recently concluded local government elections in Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt City (Phalga), and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni (ONELGA) local government areas.

Speaking at a press conference in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, Tony Okocha, the APC caretaker committee chairman in the state, described the move as a deliberate and strategic decision.

According to Okocha, the APC lacked the capacity to compete effectively with the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in those areas. He noted that putting forward candidates would have been counterproductive.

“You don’t field candidates where you know the result will be failure,” he said. “Phalga, for example, had a PDP candidate who was a well-performing former mayor. Reports indicated he was popular and likely to win. So, we stepped back strategically.”

He emphasized that the decision not to participate in those LGAs “paid off” and should not be mistaken for weakness.

Okocha also addressed claims that some APC candidates were originally members of the PDP. He confirmed the defections, saying it was a result of the internal crisis within the PDP.

“PDP is in tatters,” he said. “We simply took advantage. Some of the defections happened quietly, without media attention. We deliberately targeted individuals with strong political track records.”

He added that even some longstanding APC members lost their chances in the primaries due to the influx of new, strategically selected members.

On future plans, Okocha revealed that the APC is not just focused on lawmakers but is actively courting the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to officially join the party.

“We’ll continue to call on the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to come over to the APC and have peace. Our goal is to take full control of Rivers State,” he stated.