Ahead of the October 5, 2024 local government elections in Rivers State, some Caretaker Committee Chairmen loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara have defected to the Action People’s Party.
There have been speculations that the governor may dump the ruling Peoples Democratic Party for the APP following the alleged hijack of the state PDP structure by his predecessor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Fubara and Wike have been enmeshed in lingering misunderstanding which led to the political crisis in the state.
However, the governor, while playing host to the Board of Trustees of the PDP led by Senator Adolphus Wabara in the Government House, Port Harcourt recently denied any defection plan and reaffirmed his membership of the PDP.
However, council chairmen loyal to the governor and their supporters who were hitherto members of the PDP have pitched their tent with the APP
Also, almost all the candidates vying for chairmanship and councillorship positions in the forthcoming LG poll are doing so under the platform of the APP, even as campaigns have begun.
A big billboard of the current CTC Chairman of Port Harcourt City Council,
Ezebunwo Ichemati, with the APP logo campaigning for a substantive chairmanship position, has been sighted while his posters adorn many parts of the metropolis.
Speaking recently, Ichemati promised to provide credible leadership if elected as substantive Chairman of Port Harcourt City.
“We will defend the interests of the party (APP) and the state if elected into office. We will also adhere to the directive to avoid engaging in negative campaigns, “ he stated.
Similarly, the CTC Chairman of Khana LGA, Marvin Yobana, and his supporters have formally announced their defection to the APP.
Speaking at an event in Khana Local Council on Monday, Yobana who did not get the blessing of the governor to contest the LG election said he had moved to the APP.
He said, “I hereby announce that I have moved to APP and I introduce to you the person that would be sworn in after the October 5, election as the executive chairman of Khana, Mr. Martins Ibibo.”
Similar campaign posters of other announced candidates adorn various parts of the state.
Speaking at a news briefing in Port Harcourt on Monday, the Rivers APP Chairman, Sunny Wokekoro, said the party would commence its senatorial campaigns on Tuesday beginning with the Rivers South-East Senatorial District to hold in Bori, headquarters of Khana LGA of the state.
Describing APP as the party to beat, Wokekoro said the party had come to change the narrative in the state.
He stated, “The Action People’s Party, Rivers State branch invites you today as partners in progress in changing the ugly narrative of governance in our state.
“To intimate you of our plans to embark on our campaigns under the guidelines provided by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission.
“As you are all aware candidates have emerged and have Successfully gone through RSIEC screening. By tomorrow, Tuesday the 24 of September our party intends to embark on Senatorial campaigns and rallies.”