Concerns are rising ahead of the local government elections in Rivers State, as key allies of Governor Siminalayi Fubara have defected to the All Peoples Party (APP).
The former caretaker chairmen appointed by Fubara, who are now contesting the October 5 local council polls under the APP, have sparked speculation that the governor himself may be on the verge of leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
While Fubara has not made an official statement regarding his defection, his perceived alignment with the APP has been rumoured for some time. Last week’s clearance of several local government caretaker committee members, appointed by Fubara, to contest the election under the APP seems to confirm the suspicions.
Before these developments, the APP state secretariat had been bombed, adding to speculations that Fubara and his supporters were planning to defect to the party.
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Fubara’s allies’ defection is widely seen as a result of the alleged hijacking of PDP’s state structure by his predecessor, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
The two have been at odds since last year, with their conflict reportedly centred on control over state resources. Multiple interventions, including from President Bola Tinubu, have failed to reconcile them.
Over time, Wike seems to have gained the upper hand, reportedly controlling 27 out of 32 members of the State Assembly, as well as the PDP structure in the state.
The recent PDP congress further solidified Wike’s dominance, with his loyalists securing key positions, including Aaron Chukwuemeka as state party chairman, while the roles of secretary, treasurer and publicity secretary also went to his supporters. This has left Fubara and his loyalists seeking refuge in the APP.
Despite a recommendation from the PDP Governors’ Forum that the leadership structure in Rivers is returned to Fubara, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP, sympathetic to Wike, has recognised Wike’s loyalists as the legitimate state executive committee members.
Fubara’s allies’ frustration
Hosting the PDP Board of Trustees, led by Senator Adolphus Wabara, at the government house in Port Harcourt recently, Governor Fubara reaffirmed his membership in the PDP, dismissing rumours of defection. However, political analysts believe this has further complicated the political landscape, with Wike controlling both the PDP and, potentially, the APC, while Fubara seeks to establish a foothold.
One of Fubara’s allies, who wished to remain anonymous, shared his frustrations: “What do you expect from us other than to align with a party that has recognised us? The PDP is playing dirty politics. The governor didn’t participate in the recent congress, where Wike’s loyalists were elected into key positions. This denied him any leadership role in the state.”
He added, “The PDP also declared it would not participate in the local government elections. So, what do you expect us to do but join a platform that offers us a chance to pursue our political ambitions?”
Efforts to contact Aaron Chukwuemeka, the state PDP chairman, for comment on the defections and the party’s stance on the upcoming elections were unsuccessful.
However, during a recent stakeholders’ meeting, Chukwuemeka mentioned that the PDP was awaiting a court ruling over a case filed by the Tony Okocha faction of the APC regarding the elections.
Meanwhile, the APC in Rivers remains divided. The Okocha-led faction has announced it will not participate in the local government elections, while the faction led by Emeka Bekee has confirmed it will.
Despite these internal rifts, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has declared its intention to proceed with the election on October 5, 2024.
We’ll teach them a lesson – Wike
During a reception organised by the Ijaw Peoples Assembly in Port Harcourt over the weekend, Wike mocked Fubara’s allies that defected to the APP, warning that he would teach the party a political lesson when the time came.
He dismissed claims that the Ijaw people were fighting him, attributing the unrest to a few ungrateful individuals within the ethnic group.
Wike also characterised the crisis in Rivers as an opportunity for some people to enrich themselves, viewing the state government as a “big market.”
At the same event, Boma Iyaye, Director of Finance and Administration at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), apologised to Wike on behalf of the Ijaw people, urging him not to judge the entire ethnic group based on the actions of a few.
Wike was accompanied to the event by Petroleum Minister (State) Heineken Lokpobiri, Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, his Oyo state counterpart, Seyi Makinde and former governors and members of the G5, Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia).
Rivers belong to no one, Fubara replies
Speaking on Sunday at the Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service organised as part of activities marking the 64th Independence Day Celebration of Nigeria, Fubara addressed concerns about the political crisis in Rivers, reassuring the public that the most challenging phase had been overcome.
Governor Fubara further urged citizens to support his administration in securing the state’s future. He highlighted the significance of unity, saying, “We need to join hands to sustain and develop our state. Rivers State belongs to no one; it’s not anybody’s enterprise.”
“I had a reason for inviting all the candidates for the local government election for this service. As a matter of fact, I am a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but I know that there will be election that I am conducting. So, I have to invite you to come and receive prayers,” he said.
In a direct response to Wike’s comments on the Port Harcourt Ring Road project, Fubara clarified that it was his administration that secured funding for the project. “They claim they don’t know what we’re doing. Let me remind them, I signed the papers for the N200 billion loan for the Ring Road project. It is my project.”
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