Politics

PDP Crisis: Drama As Fubara’s Candidates Contest Rivers Council’s Poll On APP Platform

Published

9 months ago

September 20, 2024

The political family of Rivers Governor Siminialayi Fubara has chosen the Actions Peoples Party (APP) to contest the October 5 local government elections following the crisis rocking the family’s original political platform, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The Nation had reported that ahead of the grassroot poll, the Governor and his loyalists were seeking alternative platform to contest the local government because they were not in control of the PDP.

It was observed that since the political crisis broke out, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike and his camp have been maintaining firm grip of the PDP’s structures across the state.

Wike’s camp was said to have finally wrestled the entire structures from Fubara and consolidated their stronghold for the next four years during the ward, local government and state congresses of the party.

Fubara and his loyalists boycotted the congresses after obtaining a court order halting the exercise but Wike’s loyalists relied on another court order to constitute the structures.

Though the outcome of the congresses had further deepened the crisis in the party, there were no indications that the PDP structures would be handed over to Fubara despite promises of some PDP leaders at the national level.

Sensing trouble, the Governor and his camp were said to have selected APP as their alternative platform to contest the elections.

Governor’s loyalists and social media aides had been promoting the activities of the APP making the little known party to gain popularity within the state.

Fubara’s interest in APP was hitherto a subject of speculation but with his loyalists emerging local government chairmanship and councilorship candidates, the matter had become a reality.

It was gathered that after the hullabaloo that characterised selection of candidates across the wards and local government councils, the camp published the final list of the chosen ones under the APP.

Most of the Caretaker Committee chairmen emerged chairmanship candidates while new persons were anointed chairmanship candidates in some local government areas.

Some of the anointed candidates were said to have sparked protests in some areas especially in Khana Local Government Area, where stakeholders marched to the Government House Port Harcourt and demanded that the governor should change the choice of one Martin Nwigbo as the chairmanship candidate.

It was gathered that all Fubara’s 23 chosen chairmanship candidates emerged from the APP platform.

Fubara’s loyalists, who emerged chairmanship candidates of the APP are Abua/Odua, Vincent Reuben Obu; Ahoada-East, Chibudom Ezu; Ahoada-West, Mr. Iyekor Ikporo; Akuku-Toru, Mrs. Tonye Oniyide; Emohua, David Omereji; Obio/Akpor, Amb. Chijioke Ihunwo; Omuma, Promise Reginald; Opobo/Nkoro, Enyiada Cookey-Gam; Port Harcourt, Ezebunwo Ichemati, among others.

The APP Secretariat located at the new GRA in Port Harcourt was said to be a beehive of political activities as Fubara’s supporters were trooping in and out of the building.

Recently, 20 Councillorship candidates representing the 20 wards in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area undertook a familiarization visit to the APP Secretariat and held a meeting with the state party Chairman, Sunny N Wokekoro.
NATION

Politics

Atiku, Obi Arrive Abuja For Consultative Group Meeting

Published

1 week ago

May 25, 2025

Editor

Ex-Vice President and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, alongside Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has arrived in Abuja for the National Political Consultative Group (North) meeting.

Atiku announced their arrival in a post on X (formerly Twitter), where he shared a video showing himself and Obi exchanging pleasantries with key stakeholders ahead of the event.

“Peter Obi and I just arrived at the Abuja Continental Hotel for the National Political Consultative Group (North) event. -AA,” Atiku wrote in the accompanying caption.

In a 33-minute video obtained by our correspondent, Obi is seen addressing attendees, speaking on the country’s current challenges and highlighting how widespread poverty has hindered industrial growth.

Obi spoke about the potential of the North and emphasised the worsening poverty across the country, which has led to growing unease throughout the nation.

He said, “I have always said the North can change Nigeria. The greatest asset of this country is in the North…”

READ ALSO:Why We Visited Buhari – Atiku

While the exact purpose and scope of the group remain unclear, it is believed to be a coalition platform being explored by northern political stakeholders in preparation for the 2027 presidential elections.

The meeting has drawn several prominent political figures, party leaders, and elder statesmen amid growing discussions of a possible grand coalition among opposition parties ahead of the next general elections.

Notable attendees include Rotimi Amaechi, Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, Adolphus Wabara, and Baba Chir Lawal, among others.

Politics

Chaos Erupts As Jigawa Delegates Disrupt Atiku, Obi Coalition Meeting

Published

1 week ago

May 25, 2025

Editor

A high-level coalition meeting involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and others descended into chaos as delegates from Jigawa State disrupted the proceedings.

The ongoing coalition meeting at the Abuja Continental Hotel, organised by the National Political Consultative Group (North), was briefly disrupted following a disagreement over representation for Jigawa State.

Tensions rose when former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, announced a delegate to speak for the state.

In protest, several Jigawa delegates stormed the stage, blocking the individual from speaking and insisting they would not be represented by those named.

As the confrontation escalated, security personnel, including members of the Nigerian Police, DSS, and private guards, quickly formed a protective barrier around key figures such as Atiku, Amaechi and others.

Calm was restored after several minutes of appeals, as Mustapha Lamido, son of former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, along with another delegate, was chosen to speak on behalf of the state.

Politics

Defection Report Leak: A’bom Bars Channels Crew From Govt House

Published

1 week ago

May 24, 2025

Editor

The Akwa Ibom state government has barred Channels Television cameraman and reporter from being part of its press corps team.

According to an online Newspaper report, Premium Times’, their eviction from the government House followed the publication of a video clip in which the Governor urged his Commissioners and other appointees to join him in the All Progressive Congress (APC) or resign.

Recall that the incident happened on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at the Government House.

Meanwhile attempts to reach the Channels TV crew proved abortive as they didn’t take calls made to their Cellphones.