Immunization against the next Rivers State local government election, which will take place on August 30, 2025, is in jeopardy as card-carrying members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have become chairmanship candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in most local government councils.
Findings by LEADERSHIP show that in 12 out of the state’s 23 LGAs, PDP members were declared winners of the last Saturday’s APC primaries. The affected council areas are Asari Toru, Ikwerre, Khana, Tai, Degema, Bonny, Oyigbo, Omuma, Ogu/Bolo, Gokana, and Etche.
Meanwhile, PDP contestants in Emohua, Port Harcourt City, and Obio/Akpor equally claimed to have won APC nominations, further obscuring party alignments in the state.
In a related development, political parties of the state like the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Peoples Party (APP), and some of the APC have expressed skepticism or indifference to participate in the elections.
Recall that APP, having aligned itself with the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, had won 22 out of the 23 LGAs during the October 2024 elections, but their win was foiled by a February 2025 Supreme Court ruling because RSIEC failed to adhere to the 90-day notice in the Electoral Act.
Speaking to journalists, ADC spokesman Chief Luckyman Egila said the party has not made final decisions on whether or not to take part. “In the near future, our stakeholders will come together to discuss and make a final stance,” he said.
Similarly, Hon. Darlington Nwauju, party spokesperson of APC faction being led by Chief Emeka Beke, declared that acceptance of the party hinges on internal resolution and complete recognition by RSIEC. “There are still issues of RSIEC’s recognition of the party’s authentic leadership. However, negotiations are still been made at the national level to prevent political sabotage by desperate players,” he continued.
The unfolding situation has triggered massive speculations on political realignments ahead of the polls, with the voters concerned about the legitimacy and direction of the upcoming polls.
