The latest political news in Nigeria now is that, several loyalists of Governor Siminalayi Fubara have emerged as candidates for chairmanship positions under the Action People’s Party (APP) for the upcoming local government elections in Rivers State, set for October 5.
These candidates, who were appointed just three months ago as caretaker committee chairmen by the governor, are now making their bids for official positions.
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This announcement comes at a time when the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), of which Governor Fubara is a member, is grappling with an ongoing internal crisis.
The caretaker committee chairmen declaring their candidacies include Chijioke Ihunwo from Obio/Akpor, Ezebunwo Ichemati from Port Harcourt, Brain Gokpa from Eleme, David Omereji from Emohua, John Ngubo-Otamiri from Etche, Promise Reginald from Omuma, and Mathew Dike from Tai.
Notable among the new candidates are Enyiada Cookey-Gam, the former council chairman for Opobo/Nkoro, and Anengi Barasua Claude-Wilcox, the ex-chairman of Bonny Local Government Area. Both individuals previously opposed a controversial six-month tenure extension during the last administration and are now joining the APP.
The upcoming local elections will also see other prominent figures representing the APP. Igwe Access, a former National President of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), will contest for Okrika Local Government Area.
Additionally, Isaac Umejuru, the current Commissioner for Urban Development, is set to run for Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni, while Ms. Tonye Oniyide-Briggs, a former Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, will contest for Akuku-Toru. The APP will also field Dr. Harry Agiriye, a Permanent Secretary in the State Civil Service.
As the political landscape shifts, eighteen political parties are reportedly fielding candidates for these elections. This includes a faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by Mr. Emeka Beke, who was recently confirmed by a court as the legitimate chairman of the party.
Notably, the PDP, which has held a dominant position in local government elections in Rivers State since 1999, has chosen to abstain from the upcoming polls, adding another layer of intrigue to the electoral landscape.
