Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State , Sir Tony Okocha has described the victory of the party at the 2023 Presidential election in Rivers State as historic as he acknowledged that it was the first time the party excelled in the polls in the state since 2015 .
Okocha also commended , the out going Governor of the State, Chief Nyesom Wike whom he described as a goal getter, for his belief and commitment to power shift to the South and for his role in the victory of the party in the state .
The APC, leader and the national Director of the Tinubu / Shettima Grassroots Independent Campaign Council (TSGICC) made this known in his speech at the Rivers State prayer session held at the weekend at the Unity Fountain , Abuja for Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President-elect and Kashim Shettima, the Vice President-elect as they take the reins of power.
In his remarks, Okocha noted that Rivers has since 2015 been in opposition to Power at the centre but expressed hope that this time t, he State is connected to the Tinubu / Shettima Presidency andthat would translate to more development and dividends of democracy to the people
He also said the fact that the date allocated to Rivers APC for the Prayer session coincided with the 50th anniversary of the State indicates that the state is now better positioned.
According to Okocha, Rivers State prayer session was one of the ways to solidarise with their principal (Tinubu).
Speaking on the leadership capacity of the President, Okocha said: Tinubu is an achiever .
His words “For performance, take that to the bank, he has got the experience, he is not new in the business.
“One thing that made me support Tinubu was the fact that he said he wants to be president, not that people have asked him to come and become president. When you make up your mind that you want to do a thing, you have prepared yourself against the rains and the sun.
“We pray for the wisdom and the strength to carry on for him, we need to be visionary, we want him to be focused, we need all the wisdom and courage and the boldness to take decisions no matter how difficult it is.
On the expectations of the state from the Tinubu/ Shettima Presidency he said ,
“Now that Rivers State is in the bag, we should be making demands, in politics, when you are on the table, you tell the people this is what I brought to the table so this is what I demand.
“There is a difference between making demands and making request, so you demand for your rights while others who didn’t succeed will be requesting for help, so as for us, this is our own time and knowing the relationship between the President, and the Governor of Rivers State who was a spin doctor. Without Wike, it would have been a bit difficult to win Rivers State.
“Since 2015, Rivers State has been at the opposition at the national level. In 2015, we scored less than 10 per cent for Muhammadu Buhari. In 2019, it was worst, but in 2023, APC Rivers did not only score 25 per cent, we won overwhelmingly.

“I want on your behalf send our gratitude to one lion of the South South, the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike who introduced us to national politics.”

Reverend Christian Nweze Ahiakwo, who presided over the prayer session, said the event was to seek God’s face for the successful administration of the president-elect as all power comes from the almighty.

His words “Nigeria is transiting to a new season and God bless the APC that we are having a rebirth of Presidency, it is a thing of success and joy and it is worth celebrating.

“For the success of the inauguration, we have programmed a prayer sessions for all the states ahead of the inauguration,” he said.

Mrs Grace Eke , a participant at the prayer session noted that Rivers State expects nothing less than fair share from the incoming government and prayed for a smooth hand over at all levels .
The Tinubu / Shettima pre inauguration prayers was done by all – state chapters of the APC at allotted times .

By: Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi, Abuja