The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has defended its strategic decision not to field candidates in the Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt City, and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government areas during the recent council elections. Speaking at a press briefing in Port Harcourt, the state APC Chairman, Chief Tony Okocha, explained that the party lacked the capacity to compete effectively in these strongholds of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Okocha described the move as a calculated strategy based on “comparative advantage,” arguing that contesting in those areas would be futile given the popularity and performance of the sitting PDP officials, especially in Port Harcourt where the PDP candidate was the incumbent mayor. He said, “We were contesting elections to win, not to test the waters,” emphasizing that the decision ultimately paid off.
The chairman also addressed rumors that APC candidates were former PDP members, affirming that the party had discreetly welcomed defectors, describing it as a privilege to “harvest” from what he described as a PDP in disarray. Okocha noted that defections were handled quietly and focused on politicians with proven track records.
Looking ahead, the APC announced plans to continue recruitment efforts, specifically urging the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to join the party. Okocha emphasized that the party's ultimate goal is full control of Rivers State, opining that the PDP's dominance is waning and urging Wike to embrace peace by joining APC.