Rivers State LG Polls: Fubara’s Loyalists Defect to APP, Governor Denies Plans to Leave PDP
Ahead of the October 5, 2024 local government elections in Rivers State, a significant number of Caretaker Committee Chairmen loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara have made a surprise move by defecting to the Action People’s Party (APP). The development has sparked speculation that the governor may be considering a switch from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APP.
The governor’s loyalists have been embroiled in a bitter feud with their predecessor, current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who allegedly hijacked the state PDP structure. The impasse has led to a political crisis in the state. However, Governor Fubara has repeatedly denied any plans to defect from the PDP, reaffirming his commitment to the party.
Despite the governor’s denials, his loyalists have taken the unprecedented step of joining the APP. Almost all candidates vying for chairmanship and councillorship positions in the forthcoming LG poll are now running under the APP platform. The party has been gaining momentum in recent days, with key figures like Ezebunwo Ichemati, Chairman of Port Harcourt City Council, and Marvin Yobana, Chairman of Khana LGA, formally announcing their defection to the APP.
In a statement, Ichemati promised to provide credible leadership if elected as substantive Chairman of Port Harcourt City. He vowed to defend the interests of the party and the state, while also adhering to guidelines that prohibit negative campaigns.
Yobana, who had been denied permission by the governor to contest the LG election, announced his move to the APP at an event in Khana Local Council on Monday. He introduced Martins Ibibo as his preferred candidate for the executive chairman position after the October 5 election.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Chairman of the APP, Sunny Wokekoro, has announced that the party will begin its senatorial campaigns on Tuesday in Bori, headquarters of Khana LGA. Wokekoro described the APP as the party to beat in the upcoming polls, stating that it is poised to change the narrative in governance in Rivers State.
The party’s campaign rallies are expected to kick off on Tuesday and will cover various parts of the state. The development is seen as a major boost for the APP ahead of the LG polls and may have significant implications for the political landscape in Rivers State.
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