The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has pledged its unwavering support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration. On Thursday, the APC in Rivers State, led by Chief Tony Okocha, Chairman of the APC Caretaker Committee, organized a one-million-man march in collaboration with members of the Renewed Hope Agenda to demonstrate their commitment.
Chief Okocha stated that the rally was a testament to Rivers State’s ongoing support for President Tinubu. The participants marched from GRA Junction, Aba Road, to the APC state secretariat on Aba Road in Port Harcourt.
The rally also supported the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. Addressing the crowd at the APC state secretariat, Okocha explained the inclusion of Wike’s image on the rally banners, clarifying that the march was not just an APC event but an event representing “Mr. President’s family in Rivers State.” He praised Wike for playing a crucial role in President Tinubu’s victory in the state during the last election, referring to him as “001” and the “leader of the Renewed Hope Agenda in Rivers State.”
Okocha expressed their ongoing efforts to persuade Wike to join the APC to help secure President Tinubu’s victory in the 2027 general elections. “This man called Ezenwo Nyesom Wike is a game changer. He has a Midas touch,” Okocha said, highlighting Wike’s significant influence and their attempts to bring him into the party.
Reflecting on the 2023 general elections, Okocha recounted the challenges faced by Tinubu’s supporters within the state’s APC, including threats from the former party leadership. Despite these hurdles, they managed to secure a victory for President Tinubu in Rivers State.
“A time came in Rivers State when we could not campaign for our presidential candidate using the party platform upon which he emerged because we were threatened by the entire leadership of APC in Rivers State,” Okocha said. He detailed the criticisms they faced about Tinubu’s age and health but firmly stated, “President Tinubu is the best thing that happened to Nigeria.”
Regarding Nigeria’s economic challenges, Okocha argued that it is unrealistic to expect Tinubu to resolve problems accumulated over the past 30 years within one year. He emphasized that rebuilding the nation is a gradual process that began when Tinubu took office. Okocha noted Tinubu’s commitment to ending fuel subsidies and highlighted ongoing development projects, asserting that substantial financial resources are now being allocated for state development.
“Rome was not built in a day. Nigeria suffered setbacks—political, economic, socio-cultural—and we have a leader who just came on the throne for nearly one year,” Okocha said. He stressed that the process of fixing Nigeria started with Tinubu’s inauguration and is progressing as planned.
