•State APC flags off e-registration exercise
The African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rivers State chapter, has resolved to contest the forthcoming Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) by-elections in Ahoada East Constituency II and Khana Constituency II, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The resolution was reached yesterday during a tripartite extraordinary stakeholders‘ meeting at the party’s secretariat on Woji Road, GRA, Port Harcourt.

The meeting brought together congressionally, democratically, and constitutionally elected party officers at the state, local council and ward levels, alongside strategic stakeholders.

At the meeting, the party also unveiled a lineup of activities designed to strengthen internal cohesion and expand coalitions across the local councils ahead of the by-elections.

In his opening remarks, the Chairman of ADC in Rivers State, Sampson Leader, declared that the party’s doors remain open to all willing members of the public.

He maintained that any government that fails to guarantee the welfare and security of its people has failed in its responsibility and should be replaced through democratic means.

Also speaking, the chieftain of the party, Andrew Uchendu, expressed deep concern over the prevailing political situation in Rivers State, describing it as embarrassing. He regretted that governance activities in the state had, in his view, come to a standstill, adding that a population of over six million people should not be “held hostage by two persons.”

According to him, both Rivers State and the country as a whole need rescue. He emphasised that the ADC in Rivers State is operating strictly in line with the party’s constitution and directives from the national secretariat, stressing that no individual is permitted to impose party officers.

Also, the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee for the unveiling of ADC in Rivers State, Dr Chukwudi Dimkpa, disclosed that the committee has largely put the necessary modalities in place to ensure a successful outing for the party.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Membership, Revalidation, Mobilisation and Registration Committee, John Bazia, said the committee is critically reviewing its scope of operations and mandate.

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has formally flagged off its electronic registration exercise for party members, underscoring the need for a technology-driven and credible party administration.

Flagging off the exercise at the party’s state secretariat in Port Harcourt, the Rivers APC Chairman, Tony Okocha, said the initiative was designed to ensure accuracy, inclusiveness and credibility in the membership register across the state.

Okocha stressed that the e-registration process would eliminate discrimination and sharp practices, noting that all eligible party members must be captured.

According to him, the exercise marks a significant step towards strengthening the APC’s internal structure in line with ongoing national reforms.

The flag-off ceremony was attended by members of the State Working Committee, as well as coordinators and registration trainees drawn from the 23 local council areas of the state. The exercise, which commenced in the first week of January, is expected to run through the last week of the month.

He explained that the decision to embark on a fresh registration was informed by concerns arising from the 2023 general elections, during which the party’s claimed membership strength did not reflect in electoral outcomes.