Gov poll: ‘AAC not endorsing Rivers, Oyo PDP, APC candidates’

The African Action Congress (AAC) has publicly distanced itself from reports that it endorsed Sir Siminialaye Fubara, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Rivers State. In a statement released by the party’s Oyo State chapter, Chairman Kayode Babayomi clarified that the AAC is not aligned with any anti‑people negotiations or alliances. He emphasized that the party has not endorsed any individual or political party, despite the recent expulsion of its own governorship candidate, Mr. Mojeed Okedara, for anti‑party activities—a fact already known to the public.

Media reports on Wednesday claimed that the Inter‑Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and an Atiku Abubakar Support Group in Rivers State had adopted Fubara as their candidate, urging voters to support him in the upcoming governorship election. According to IPAC, which announced the decision after a meeting in Port Harcourt, the endorsement was intended to promote power rotation and equity in the oil‑rich state, not to serve partisan interests. The communique, signed by several political leaders—including Atata Kenneth, Dagogo Whyte, Kendrick Azeez Christian, Nwigbarato Dumbari, Leader S. Sampson, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, Chukwunenye N. Kocha, Richard Harry Benibo, Patrick Dike, John Woke, Omangima Harry, and Michael Nwanze Ogbogu—stated that supporting Sir Siminialayi Fubara “resonates with the values of equity, fairness, justice and balance.”

In response, the AAC issued a tweet stating, “@aacparty completely distances itself from this shenanigans and was never part of the endorsement of @GovWike’s candidate Sim Fubara.” When contacted, Dr. Chukwunenye Kocha, the AAC chairman in Rivers and whose name appeared among the IPAC signatories, denied attending the meeting that endorsed Fubara. He explained, “Yes, my name was quoted but I wasn’t there. I had to call the IPAC leadership; they thought I would be present. That’s not how things are done—I had other engagements yesterday, including a rally for one of our Assembly candidates, and some domestic issues.”

Earlier, Okocha released a statement urging AAC supporters and voters to remain focused on the party, noting that the AAC was not represented at the IPAC press conference. He added, “Parties that gave consent to the press conference were duly represented and signed the press release. The recorded clip of the press conference has since surfaced in the media to confirm this clarification.”