Committees set up by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to conduct delegate congresses and party primaries ahead of the February 21 House of Assembly bye-elections in Rivers State have said Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s leadership has given the party renewed focus and direction.
The committees, which oversaw the exercises in Ahoada East State Constituency II and Khana State Constituency II, made the remarks on Sunday, January 25, 2026, during a joint press briefing following what they described as a successful conduct of the congresses.
Chairman of the Congress and Primary Committee for Ahoada East State Constituency II, Shehu Dange, said the governor’s entry into the APC has united the party and strengthened its acceptance across the state.
According to Dange, reactions from residents during the exercise reflected growing confidence in the party’s leadership.
“As we moved around the constituency, we saw the reactions of the people. They are happy with the new development and the emergence of a new leader of the APC in the state,” he said.
“Governor Fubara’s leadership has further united the APC family. The party is getting stronger in Rivers State because it now has a leader with focus and direction.”
Also speaking, Secretary of the Delegate Congress and Party Primary Committee for Ahoada East State Constituency II, Barrister Smart Iheanazor, attributed the large turnout and enthusiasm to the trust reposed in the governor by the people.
“Most importantly, while they were chanting ‘Renewed Hope’ in support of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, there was no doubt about their commitment,” Iheanazor said, adding that turnout across the Ahoada axis was massive.
Chairman of the Congress and Primary Committee for Khana State Constituency II, Ayoala Peter, said the level of participation demonstrated that the APC is well-positioned for victory in the forthcoming bye-elections and the 2027 general elections.
“Despite the distance between wards and the time it took to reach some of them, party members waited eagerly,” he said. “We saw their happiness and willingness to participate in the process.”
Earlier, ward congresses were conducted in both constituencies to elect delegates who will vote in the party’s primaries ahead of the bye-elections.
In Ahoada East State Constituency II, the exercise was monitored by the congress and primary committee chaired by Dange, with Iheanazor as secretary, alongside members of the party’s appeal committee.
Observers from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), led by the Assistant Electoral Officer (Operations) for the local government area, Okogbule Emilia, were present, as well as security agencies including the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force.
The congress was conducted through a voice vote system.
Similarly, the APC congress in Khana State Constituency II was held concurrently under the supervision of party officials, with delegates elected through an open ballot system. INEC officials and security agencies, including the DSS and the police, monitored the process.
Five delegates were elected from each ward in the two constituencies.
The delegates will now participate in the APC primaries to select the party’s candidates for the February 21 House of Assembly bye-elections in Ahoada East State Constituency II and Khana State Constituency II.
