By: Felix Ikpotor
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, could be on the verge of losing its 25-year dominance in Rivers State following the mass movement of members of the party, especially loyalist of the governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara into the Action People’s Party, APP, for the forthcoming local council polls in the state.
PDP have dominated elections in Rivers State since the return to democratic rule in Nigeria in 1999.
However, with the current feud between Governor Fubara and his predecessor and Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, that dominance maybe ending soon as loyalists of the governor have emerged flag-bearers for chairmanship and councillors in the 23 local councils of the state for the October 5, 2024 elections.
The move to the APP by members of the Simplified Family in Rivers State- Fubara’s political group, came after the governor and his loyalists were sidelined in the struggle for control of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as they were denied forms to partake in the congresses that produced the new structure of the party in the state. The development meant that control of the PDP structure in Rivers State was vested with Nyesom Wike.
The development also meant that loyalists of Governor Fubara would not be favoured to emerge candidates of the PDP in the local government election.
While many have described the movement by the Simplified Family members to APP as a directive by Governor Fubara to water the ground for 2027 should he seek re-election and not get it under the PDP and also accusing him of being the sole sponsor of the party in the state; APP however, have denied links with the governor.
We are fired up for October 5 LGA elections- APP chairman
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Action Peoples Party (APP) in Rivers State, Sunny Wokekoro says the party is gearing up for a strong showing in the upcoming local government council elections slated for October 5, 2024.
He revealed the party’s readiness during it’s inaugural morning devotion, tagged “APP with Jesus,” held at the party secretariat in Port Harcourt.
Wokekoro, who led the devotion, dedicated the Party Secretariat to God, expressing his commitment to providing a level playing field for all Rivers people aspiring to contest under the APP platform.
He declared that the party is fully prepared to take part in upcoming elections, adding that he is determined to offer the right leadership in party politics across the state and further expressed the party’s readiness to sweep the council polls.
Speaking on the August 12, 2024 bombing of the party secretariat by yet-to-be identified arsonist, the party chairman said the unfortunate incident has turned to a rallying point for the party.
“What they thought for evil by bombing the Party Secretariat has turned for good; it has endeared the party to Rivers people, and there’s absolutely no turning back,” he stated.
We’ll provide level playing field for all, Wokekoro
assures Similarly, the APP chairman in Rivers State, Sunny Wokekoro, has assured that the party under his leadership will provide fair and equal opportunity for all.
He said the party under his watch would not compromise its vision and mission by handing over the party’s control to any single individual, as it is with the All Progressives Congress and the People’s Democratic Party in the state.
Wokekoro, who made these remarks while receiving the student wing of the party in the state led by Alliawite Daniel, alongside the party’s national legal adviser, Barr Henry Odili, state legal adviser, Barr Henry Ekine and other state EXCO members, declared that the grievances of members of the APC and PDP in the state would benefit his party.
“As people who fear God, we will provide a level playing field for all who want to join our party. Our party is open to members from various political affiliations, primarily those disheartened by the actions of the PDP,” he stated. Speaking further, Wokekoro appreciated the students for coming out to support the party and the government of Rivers State as it prepares to lead the state to new heights. While inviting Rivers people to join the party, he expressed that the party aims to use the LG polls to showcase their strength and readiness to lead the state.
” I am inviting you all, especially those of you who are of age, to join our party and register. This will ensure that when the time comes for the governor to seek re-election, our party will be a strong contender amongst many others.
“Being the governor of Rivers State is a difficult task, so we must work together to convince the governor to run for re-election with our party. We must also consider other elective positions, and the best way to prove to the governor that our party is the right choice for his candidacy is by starting with the local government elections.
” Through this, we can demonstrate to the people of Rivers State, to the governor, and to all Nigerians that the APP is here to stay,” he added.
Also, the national legal adviser of the party, Barr Henry Odili, assured that the party’s leadership would provide purposeful guidance for all.
“We want this party to be the means by which Rivers State moves forward,” Odili emphasised.
Earlier, Alliawite Daniel, leader of the Action People’s Party Students’ Wing, declared his support for the party while expressing the students’ readiness to work with the state and national leadership of the party.
“We also support the governor; wherever our governor is, there we are. We will go back, mobilise and return to show you how we are,” he said.
Wokekoro, had earlier gave similar assurances to members of the Supreme Council for SIM Worldwide, Simplified Daughters of Rivers State and Simplified Movement Students when they paid him a courtesy call.
“APP not owned by Fubara”
In the meantime, the Action Peoples Party (APP) has dismissed allegations suggesting that the party is owned and bankrolled by Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
The party also refuted claims that Governor Fubara is a member of the party. Speaking when he received members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Students Association, at the party secretariat in Port Harcourt, the state chairman, Sunny Wokekoro, clarified that despite rumors of Governor Fubara’s switch to the party, APP was actually trying to woo him due to his political influence.
He said, “Governor Fubara is not a member of my party, but a good party makes every effort to find the best candidate for an election. To those who accuse Governor Fubara of owning my party, he does not own my party; he is not a card-carrying member of my party, however, as a proficient political administrator, it is my responsibility to pursue a good candidate if one is identified.”
He affirmed the party’s commitment to collaborating with the students.
“I want to thank you for your visit. Please know that we don’t see you as a follower, but as a co-founder of this wonderful family. When you reach out to me, whether through text or phone, I will respond. Please don’t feel excluded or like an outsider; feel like you are a part of this journey. A new initiative is on the horizon in Rivers State, and we can’t do it alone because we need everyone on board,” Wokekoro said.
Earlier, Comrade King Emmanuel, the leader of the PDP National Students Association, declared support for the party. He emphasized that the group is not inclined to collaborate with the Peoples Democratic Party, in the state led by Chukwuemeka Aaron.
Comrade Emmanuel insisted, “We are PDP students who are loyal to the state government. Even when they called me from Abuja, I informed them that I would not work for Nyesom Wike because he is not the governor of the state.
“When he was in office, we supported him. Since the PDP led by Aaron Chukwuemeka, is not prepared to participate in the local government election, we, the students, have taken our destiny into our own hands by declaring our support for the Action Peoples Party.”
APC boycotts election, PDP mutes
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State loyal to Tony Okocha has said it won’t take part in the local council elections in the state.
Okocha, who is the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the party said he was not carried along in the planning of the election by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, the body responsible for the conduct of the polls.
He also vowed that for excluding his party in the planning that the elections won’t hold as they have gone to court to halt the election.
Okocha stated this while addressing party faithfuls recently in Port Harcourt.
“The topical issue to be discussed is the issue of if APC is contesting elections on the 5th of October.
“We are in court and I won’t speak much on any matter that’s in court. The much I can say to you is that, that course of action is to restrain the agencies that would conduct that election that they announced behind us.
“We were not part of the decision for an election on the 5th of October. We had gone on air 19th of January to tell the RSIEC chairman and the commission itself to commence the process of having elections. At that time, it was still within the armbits of the law of the state because the law says three months to the expiration of the tenures of the council that the electoral body should organise election, the process should commence, timetable released and all that and twenty one days inside that three months, elections should hold.
“My dear people, what they are doing now as we speak and 5th of October as they are talking about will not work. It will not work. You can’t go and conduct local government elections in Rivers State without a party like the APC,” Okocha stated.
The state chapter of the PDP on the other hand has been mute on the issue of council polls. Attempts by this publication to get across to the party leadership for response on why they aren’t participating in the elections was unsuccessful at the time of this report. However, an insider source revealed that the party’s silence with barely two weeks to the polls is a signal they are not in support of the exercise.
No obstacle will stop LG polls- Speaker
However, Victor Oko-Jumbo, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to Governor Fubara, has assured that the forthcoming local government elections in Rivers State will hold and no obstacle intended to obstruct the state’s wheel of progress will work against it.
Speaking at an event in Khana Local Council of the state, Oko-Jumbo said the government is poised to ensuring that the elections are free and fair.
“We are committed to ensuring that the LGA elections are conducted in a free, fair, and credible manner and we will not allow any obstacle or challenge to hinder the electoral process,” Oko-Jumbo stated.
