Countdown To The OCTOBER 5 RIVERS LG Election

• How Gov. FUBARA, WIKE, TONY OKOCHA Are Preparing

The October 5th, 2024 Local Government Council election will surely be a watershed in the history of political developments in Rivers State as two major political parties, the People’s Democratic Party and All Progressive Congress APC will not be found on the ballot papers. The reason why the state ruling PDP controlled state will not be participating is not officially made available but the political imbroglio between the incumbent Governor Sir Siminialayi FUBARA and his political godfather the FCT Abuja Minister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike is the reason behind the non participation of PDP. While the Chief Tony Okocha led APC Rivers state chapter has a pending Court case against Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission Rivsiec and others challenging the non adherence to the electoral process is still not determined yet as he is praying that the election be aborted and National Independent Electoral Commission INEC should not release List of Voters Register for the conduct of the Rivers State Local Government Council election. Again he prayed that Police and other security agencies should not deploy their personnel to the said election as his political party APC was not involved from the beginning of the electoral process.

What is happening right now in Rivers State remains the fact that PDP political structure is with FCT Abuja Minister Nyesom Wike as the State Chapter chairman Chief Aaron Chukwuemeka is an ally of Wike and his Executive all take instructions from FCT Abuja Minister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike. Thus, his faction is allegedly working with Tony Okocha led APC Rivers State Chapter which gives PD-APC political alliance. On the other hand, the incumbent Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara is still a member of People Democratic Party PDP but allegedly having a great time with Action People’s Party APP, a new political party in Rivers State. Therefore an emerging political alliance known as PD-APP is the political platform most of the supporters of Governor Sir Siminialayi Fubara will use to participate in the 5th October 2024 Local Government Council election in Rivers State.

As at  3rd week of September, few weeks to the October 5th 2024 Local Government Council election, no visible political rally by the political parties has taken place as they’re all in dilemma regarding the Flag each of the 23 Local Government Council presumed candidates will use to solicit for votes. This is giving credence to the illegal assumption by Tony Okocha that electoral outcome is already written down waiting for announcement, an allegation many political watchers regard as an aberation in the political process in electing leaders.

However, going by the Supreme Court judgement that abhors Caretaker Committee Executives as 3rd tier political leaders, the 5th October 2024 Local Government Council election in Rivers State if it holds will establish Governor Sir Siminialayi Fubara’s administration no matter which political alliance his followers will adopt. But if it fails to hold, should then the Tony Okocha led APC court case succeeds in stopping the election, then FCT Abuja Nigeria Minister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike will have a political pyrrhic victory as the release of Financial allocation fund from the Federal Government to Local Government Councils will have a complicated situation In the administration of the 23 Local Government Councils in Rivers State.

– Emeka Amaefula

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