The Legacy Group in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared its readiness to restore unity among members of the party in Rivers State, to ensure that the APC emerges stronger and better positioned to face all political activities in 2027.
The group—which comprises members of the legacy political parties, namely the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), which merged in 2013 to form the APC—has for years remained divided due to leadership crises within the Rivers State chapter.
Speaking to journalists in Port Harcourt after an emergency meeting with legacy leaders across the 319 wards and 4,442 polling units in the state, the coordinator of the Legacy Group, Ambassador Fubara Dagogo, stated that the APC has gained significant recognition in Rivers State, largely through the efforts of its founding members. He, however, regretted that internal crises have continued to rob the party of the victories it deserves, especially during national elections.
Dagogo explained that the group has begun efforts to reconcile all genuine members of the party ahead of the 2027 elections, emphasising that there would be no excuse for disunity. He added that the party must return to being “one big family” in its quest to secure total victory for President Bola Tinubu.
Dagogo, who also serves as Director-General of the APC States Assembly Forum (ASAF) for elected and serving members, highlighted the interest and commitment of President Bola Tinubu and APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, in restoring lasting peace in Rivers State following the six-month period of political instability. He stressed that APC members must unite to ensure total victory in 2027 as a show of loyalty and appreciation to the President and the party.
The APC chieftain lamented the loss of several party members in recent times due to internal wrangling, warning that the crisis must not be allowed to persist if the APC hopes to achieve its target of total victory for President Tinubu in 2027.
He further disclosed that the Legacy Group has mobilised and set up a committee to reach out to all aggrieved members of the party in the state, many of whom have expressed willingness to reconcile and work together in the interest of the APC ahead of the upcoming elections.
“The people of Rivers State owe President Bola Tinubu a lot ahead of the 2027 elections. We can only repay him by ensuring total victory for him at the polls. This is not about merely saying ‘thank you’.
“As the original group that founded the APC from our various legacy political parties in June 2013, we have resolved to champion this cause for a stronger APC in Rivers State. We are fortunate to have a pragmatic and listening National Chairman who has also called for unity in our state. It is our desire to bridge the gap with stakeholders, including recent defectors to the party, and to initiate reconciliation meetings at both the state and national levels of our great party before the 2027 elections,” Dagogo added.
The coordinator also commended President Tinubu for warmly receiving members of the defunct CPC, led by former Governor of Nasarawa State, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, during their solidarity visit to the Presidential Villa last month. He assured that the Legacy Group would continue to support the President’s leadership and work tirelessly to ensure his well-deserved victory and re-election in 2027.