Politics

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

Published

2 years ago

September 20, 2024

Editor

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

Defection: Peter Obi Simply Looking For ‘Food Is Ready’ Party – Wike

Published

1 hour ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe on former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his recent defection.

Speaking during a media parley on Wednesday, Wike said Obi is looking for a ‘food is ready’ political party.

The minister said, “Obi was in APGA, he couldn’t build APGA. He went to Labour, he ran away again from Labour. All he’s looking for is food is ready political party.”

Recall that Obi and Rabi’u Kwankwaso, former presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, on Sunday officially joined the NDC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Politics

2027: Nobody Wants Fubara – Wike

Published

2 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that there is widespread support for Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to return in 2027.

Speaking during his monthly media parley on Wednesday in Abuja, Wike suggested that Fubara can’t claim to enjoy unanimous backing from the public.

He explained that the political crisis in Rivers State had earlier been addressed through the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, particularly during impeachment proceedings initiated against Fubara.

According to Wike, the President advised all parties to embrace peace, leading to the withdrawal of the impeachment move by the State House of Assembly after agreements were reached.

Wike, however, alleged that the governor failed to fully adhere to the terms agreed during the arbitration process.

Reacting to claims that the people were urging Fubara to seek re-election in 2027, Wike rejected the assertion, insisting that such narratives were misleading.

Wike maintained that appearing before the President for arbitration required respect for the outcome, noting that all parties were expected to uphold their commitments.

He said: “The President, intervened in the impeachment proceeding. I said withdraw, let their be peace. And the governor said, look, I’m ready for peace. Look, I’m no longer interested for this. I will not do this. The Assembly went and withdrew the impeachment.

“Having withdrawn the impeachment, he is now too smart on what you agreed before the President. It’s like when you go on arbitration.”

Wike continued, “This one is what I don’t like. Nobody wants anybody. Please, don’t tell me that. Excuse me.

You can go and tell that to the market people or children. Two years that people say he should come out. Who told you that?

“Which politician will say that I was sleeping they came and woke me? Even if people people come to wake you, can’t you say, no, I won’t do it. I’m not prepared for it.

“That you appeared before a President of the country on arbitration, the two parties on arbitration, and these people respected Mr. President, and have done their own part.”

Politics

2027: Wike Opens Up On Preferred Rivers Guber Candidate

Published

2 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday said he hasn’t endorsed any candidate for the Rivers state gubernatorial election in 2027.

Wike stated this on Wednesday during his monthly media parley in Abuja.

Wike said that the endorsement will come only after a meeting by the joint coalition in the state.

He said: “I haven’t endorsed anybody. And I can’t endorse anybody until the joint coalition meets.”

DAILY POST reports that questions have been raised concerning the fate of current governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, in 2027.

The FCT Minister was reported to have endorsed former State Commissioner for Works, Alabo Dakorinama George Kelly, as his preferred candidate for the Rivers State governorship election.

Sources told DAILY POST that Wike settled for George after a closed-door meeting with key political stakeholders in Port Harcourt on Monday.