Rivers 2023: Why Tammy Danagogo is best for Rivers State

By Kennis Philips

This is the man who a few weeks ago was Secretary to State Government-SSG having served as Minister of Sports and Youth Development during President Goodluck Jonathan administration. While Nyeson Ezenwo was Minister of State for Education Dr. Tammy W. Danagogo was holding sway at the Sports Ministry as both have had robust political relationships having served as Chairman of Akuku Toru while Wike was Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council all in Rivers state. In 2007, Wike was the one who brought Dr. Tammy Danagogo to join the Rt. Honourable Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi led the Government as Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs. In 2012 leading to 2013 and 2014 Dr. Tammy Danagogo helped Nyesom Wike to fashion out plans on how best to take over Rivers state political power from the then All Progressives Congress led administration of Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. This led to the formation of a political Pressure group known as Grassroot Development Initiatives-GDI which propelled Wike to BRICK HOUSE Port Harcourt Rivers state seat of political power.

Dr. Tammy Danagogo as Minister and another Rivers state Minister for Trade and Investment then Chief Kenneth Kobani joined hands in purchasing the Gubernatorial Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for Nyesom Ezebunwo Wike who compensated them with the appointment as Secretary -To-Rivers state Government SSG in quick succession to each other. The political atmosphere in Rivers state favours zoning the Governorship seat to Riverine Coastal Local Government Areas with the Rivers state Ijaw ethnic group having majority of occupants of those areas. And Dr. Tammy W. Danagogo comes from Rivers state Ijaw ethnic group.

Today, he had resigned his appointment to pursue his governorship ambition as he is billed to participate in the PDP Rivers state Governorship Primary election coming up on Monday 23rd of May, 2022 as delegates from the 23 Local Government Areas will file in to cast their votes for who will represent their party at the March, 2023 Governorship election in Rivers state.

On the surface, he ought to have been the anointed candidate.

–Kennis Philips, is a political analyst, writes from Rivers State.