History was made on 26th April, 2014, as the Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) elected an Executive Committee (EXCO) to run the affairs of the party and usher in the next APC administration in the State in 2015.
The election which took place at the Alfred Diete-Spiff Civic Centre in Port Harcourt was held in a democratic set-up devoid of any electoral malpractices or violence. It was held under the watch of the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the APC Leader in Rivers and Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, through his Deputy, Engr. Tele
Ikuru. The successful Congress was supervised by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, who until this morning was the State Interim Chairman of the party, emerged the first elected Chairman of APC in Rivers State unopposed, polling a whopping 1,619 votes from the 2,093 delegates.He was declared the winner by Chief Cosmos Maduba, the Congress Committee Chairman and Returning Officer.
Dr Ikanya whom Eze C.E Eze his spokesman described as a political juggernaut in Rivers State politics was the National Secretary of the defunct Republican Party of Nigeria (RPN) and later the party’s gubernatorial candidate during the general election of 2007; an election in which Governor Amaechi was elected the Governor of Rivers State. He was appointed the Commissioner for Special Duties during the
first term of Governor Amaechi in 2008 and was the Chairman of the Forum of Opposition Political Parties (FOPP) in Rivers State, a forum he used to stabilize political setting in the state by ensuring that the opposition political parties worked with the then PDP ruling party under the watch and leadership of Governor Amaechi.
Chief Emeka Bekee, the immediate past Interim Secretary and a strong pillar in Governor Amaechi’s political camp polled 1,551 votes to emerge Secretary, while a seasoned Journalist and Publisher, Mr. Chris Finebone, was elected Publicity Secretary, with Alex Hart as Treasurer and Mr. Uku Dandison as Organising Secretary. Others in the 36-man EXCO include the Women Leader of the Interim Committee, Evangelist Carol Nagbo, was elected
Women Leader, and Barr. S. Eli as Youth Leader
An elated Dr. Ikanya described his election as an act of God and thanked Governor Amaechi, stakeholders and members of the party for considering him worthy of such an honour. He promised not to disappoint and vowed to ensure that APC forms the next Government in the State next year.
Dr. Ikanya stated: “I sincerely thank God and the delegates for ensuring that I was elected against every other odd. Gov. Amaechi has demonstrated that he is a true democrat by allowing the votes of the delegates to count. APC and her members in Rivers State have shown a high sense of decorum, democratic acts, brotherhood and unity that need to be explored by other stakeholders in our polity for the survival of our nascent democracy. The
party has been very fair to the contestants and I hope that they will assist to ensure that APC forms the next government come 2015 for the great future of our dear State. With this result and calibre of people elected to work with me, PDP can now go to sleep as we are determined to ensure the victory of APC come 2015 by the grace of God.”
The Congress was organised by the Rivers State APC Congress Committee with Chief Cosmos Maduba as Chairman with Engr. Francis Ebitei, Alhaji Mohammed Saba, Hon. (Mrs.) Scholastica Omowurare and Mr. Chibuike Ogbeama as members.
Special Guests and members of the party that attended the historical event include the following Governor Chibuike Amaechi, represented by Deputy Governor Engr Tele Ikuru. George Feyii, Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Dame Aleruchi Cookey-Gam, Sole Administrator Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority, Tony Okocha, Chief of Staff, Government House.
Others are Senators Magnus Abe, Wilson Asinobi Ake, Representatives Dakuku Adol Peterside, Asita Honourable Asita, Ogbonna Nwuke, Barinada Mpigi, Chief Ike Chinwo, Marcus Nle-Ejii, Dr. Ipalibo Harry. Other members of the state Executive Council that included Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, Commissioner for Information and Communications, also attended.
Council chairmen that attended were the Mayor of Port Harcourt, Chimbiko Akarolo, Hon. Oji Nyimenuate Ngofa(Eleme), Tamuno Williams(Okrika), Oro Nte Ereforokuma(Andoni), Udi Odum(Abua/Odual), Cassidy Ikegbidi(Ahoada East), Gregory Nwidam(Khana), Theodore Georgewill(Akuku Toru), among other party faithful