The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State looks unstoppable in its goal of winning the presidential, governorship and all other elective positions in the state in 2023.

Chieftain and leading aspirant for the governorship ticket of the party, Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside, made the declaration on Saturday, April 9, 2022, at the party's Special Thanksgiving Service held at the 40,000-capacity Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Igwuruta, Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, to thank God for successful congresses and national convention of the party at all levels.

Dakuku, who expressed delight that APC in Rivers State was on the right path of recovery and victory to end what he described as the “sad breast-pocket governance style of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state,” expressed delight at the mammoth crowd and success of the event.

He observed that every indicator at an APC victory in 2023 was positive, adding that recent successes recorded by the party in the state from the Ward to the Local Government and State Congresses, had reinvigorated its membership to a new height in readiness to kick-out the ruling party in the state.

“You all have seen the mammoth crowd here which points to a new height in APC's renewed movement towards ending the breast-pocket governance Rivers people found themselves in since 2015.

“Our people have suffered enough in the hands of Wike and PDP but APC is set to end all of that and reset the state to achieving her full potential. That PDP must go in 2023 is our resolve, and working in harmony, we shall achieve that. Today is a statement in the party's resolve to terminate the directionless regime of Wike and his PDP and, in turn, entrench good governance and grow our beloved state.”

Speaking further at the event, which had in attendance, former and serving state governors, Distinguished Senators, members of the House of Representatives, serving and former members of State Houses of Assembly, federal ministers, captions of industry, members of the clergy, and thousands of APC faithful drawn from the 23 local government areas, Dakuku commended Transportation Minister, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, for heeding to the calls of Nigerians to run for the Presidency of the nation.

Describing Amaechi as “most fitting, competent, and pan-Nigerian”, Dakuku expressed confidence in Nigerians supporting Amaechi’s aspiration.

“I commend Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for taking this critical decision to serve Nigerians in the highest office in the land. Heeding the call of Nigerians to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari is a call to courage, commitment and continuation of the current Administration’s determination to develop the nation. I am convinced this Amaechi Project is Nigerians’ Project,” Dakuku added.

The Turnaround Expert noted that APC in the state was ready to mobilize Rivers’ voters to vote out PDP with its terrible rule in the state even as he added that the administration of Wike represents the lowest for the state since it was created on May 27, 1967.

“The agitation is everywhere across the state for freedom from the current Administration of Governor Nyesom Wike, which is the lowest for the state since its creation on May 27, 1967. Every Rivers” citizen, including civil servants, traders, craftsmen, students and our statesmen, are tired of Wike and PDP and are in unison to see their end. APC in the state is ready to mobilise them, going forward, to serve this wicked government the red card it well deserves,” Dakuku said.

While thanking the party’s supporters for their presence at the Thanksgiving Service, Dakuku Peterside commended organisers for its success. “This is the beginning of a new partnership between our party in Rivers and other critical stakeholders as the 2023 general elections gather steam. For me, it is a memento that speaks of what greater synergy we can possibly achieve, and subsequent results,” he said.

Dakuku expressed appreciation to Amaechi for providing leadership at a most challenging time in the life of the party. “Our leader, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, showed courage, resilience and resourcefulness in rallying party members to stay together in one accord during this trying period and God blessed his effort,” said Dakuku. He scored the Rivers APC leadership high on the success of the Thanksgiving Service that attracted top members of the party from other Nigerian states.

“The state leadership of our great party deserves every commendation for pulling through this event which can pass for a stop-show. It is part of those positive indicators I noted earlier. With such resolve on their part, the party's chances at the next polls are stronger,” Peterside noted.

The former Director General of Nigeria’s Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), however, noted that despite the resurgence of fresh enthusiasm within APCs faithful, much had yet to be done.

He tasked APC members to work more at the grassroots in winning Rivers’ voters to the side of the party, even as he expressed optimism that “working together, APC shall form the next government in the state, with majority seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly.”

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