The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has elected Tony Okocha, its former caretaker committee chairman, as the substantive chairman.

Mr Okocha was elected at the APC’s Delegates’ Congress held on Saturday in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

He was elected alongside other state working committee members to run the party’s affairs for four years.

The congress, conducted through a voice vote, was presided over by Adoye Omale, who represented the party’s national secretary.

It was supervised by the state resident electoral commissioner in Rivers, Joseph Alalibo.

In a speech, the national vice chairman, South-South, Victor Giadom, commended the delegates for their peaceful conduct.

Mr Giadom said the peaceful conduct of the congress demonstrated that Rivers APC “is united and indivisible”.

He called on the members to support the new executive in moving the party forward.

In an acceptance speech, Mr Okocha said the congress had proved that APC is united and peaceful.

He said that with the mandate given to him and other executive members, the party would take over governance in Rivers in 2027.

He said, “By 2027, God keeping us alive, we will have election in Rivers, and our target with you is to help us so that APC takes the reign of governance.

“From the State and National Assembly, Local Government Areas and Governorship elections, APC will win in Rivers and also ensure that we return the hero of our time, President Bola Tinubu.

“APC is on course in Nigeria. I’m sure you have watched or you have heard what happened at the Port Harcourt Refinery some days ago. So, this is a tip of the iceberg that you will begin to see.”

Other positions filled during the congress were deputy chairman, state secretary, publicity secretary, state auditor, state women leader, youth leader, legal adviser, and zonal leader for the three senatorial districts of Rivers.

(NAN)