As Rivers State prepares for its October 5, 2024 local government elections, a significant development has shaken the political landscape. A group of Caretaker Committee Chairmen loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara have defected to the Action People’s Party (APP), raising speculations about the governor’s possible switch to the APP.
The move follows a lingering misunderstanding between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who currently serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. Wike allegedly hijacked the state PDP structure, leading to a political crisis in the state. Despite this, Governor Fubara recently denied any plans to defect and reaffirmed his membership in the PDP.
However, council chairmen loyal to the governor and their supporters have joined the APP, along with almost all the candidates vying for chairmanship and councillorship positions in the forthcoming LG poll. The APP has been gaining momentum, with prominent figures like Ezebunwo Ichemati, the current CTC Chairman of Port Harcourt City Council, campaigning for a substantive chairmanship position.
Ichemati, who has promised to provide credible leadership if elected, stated that the party’s interests and the state would be defended if they come into office. He also emphasized the importance of avoiding negative campaigns. Marvin Yobana, the CTC Chairman of Khana LGA, and his supporters have also announced their defection to the APP.
The Rivers APP Chairman, Sunny Wokekoro, has announced plans to commence senatorial campaigns on Tuesday, beginning with the Rivers South-East Senatorial District in Bori, the headquarters of Khana LGA. Wokekoro described the APP as the party to beat, emphasizing their intention to change the narrative in the state.
The upcoming elections are expected to be a significant test for the APP, which is hoping to capitalize on the current political climate. With a strong showing in the LG polls, the party could potentially gain momentum ahead of future elections. As the campaigns heat up, only time will tell if the APP can successfully change the narrative in Rivers State.
