The All Progressives Congress says it is time for all members who believe in the sustainable progress of the party to focus intense attention on the task ahead.

The party said in reaction to the official release of the timetable for the conduct of congresses by the National Secretariat that the stage is now set for all who are deserving to lead its membership to test their popularity in the field.

"The APC shall resist the temptation to be drawn into a conflagration which does very little, to sustain its will to lay the foundation for the establishment of democratic structures through sustainable democratic processes that are known to law.

"We wish to state categorically that attempts by some persons who have taken to the airwaves and newspapers to create a semblance of conflict within the party is intended to divert attention from the effort of the APC to organise peaceful congresses across the State.

"Accordingly, we urge all members of our great party who are in the habit of promoting verbal conflicts and others who may be drawn into the fray by such unwholesome circumstances to sheath their swords.

"To win the soul of the party, members must focus on the task ahead through effective mobilization. Our leaders and their followers are obligated at this time to focus intensely on providing leadership.

"Elections into party offices are not won on the airwaves and pages of newspapers. They are won in the field where enthusiastic members of our great party are waiting to exercise their franchise.

"For the avoidance of doubt, the APC in Rivers State, working in concert with the National Secretariat, shall provide a level playing field for all who wish to participate in the forthcoming party congresses.

"No valid member of the All Progressives Congress who meets the requirements set out by the National Secretariat for those who want to contest the forthcoming congresses should entertain any fear of exclusion from the process.

"Those who are nursing ambitions are free to go about the business of canvassing for votes among members of our great party."