An African proverb says, ‘when two elephants fight, the grass suffers.’ This is significant in the disagreement between the factions of former minister of transportation, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, and former Senator who represented Rivers South-East Senatorial District, Magnus Ngei Abe of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State, which is no longer news to the average rivers man and perhaps, non-indigenes.
The dispute between the ‘former friends’ has to an extent, disassembled the party’s political structure in the state, steadily putting up a circus show for the ruling members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), whose house, of course, has its own cracks.
The tension between the political juggernauts of the Rivers APC seems to be eating deep into its taproots in the state’s political hemisphere, as no evident progress has been recorded by the party in major political offices in the state.
Backtracking to the protest at the party secretariat some days ago, one begins to ponder if APC is ready to dethrone PDP, which seems to be its main objective, or headed for failure as it did in 2015 and 2019. On Wednesday, 18th of May, 2022, rivers people were once again entertained to a mild drama, as protesters loyal to Mr. Abe alleged that the election materials for the Delegates’ elections were hijacked by Mr. Amaechi.
The protest, which was the talk of the town, ended with a stampede caused by gunshots fired by the police to scare the aggrieved loyalists away. More so, the highlight of it all was a statement by the publicity secretary of the party, Chris Finebone, who described the protest as an “Incurable madness that only more madness can cure,” which of course, depicts the stance of the other faction.
Also, the presentation of Arc. Tonye Cole as a supposed favourite by the party, after he had contested and lost to Governor Nyesom Wike in 2019, may have once again, troubled still waters with different camps in the party disputing his candidature.
With the 2023 elections in sight, what plans have the APC put in place to take over the “PDP State”?
The fact that the two sections haven’t converged to reach a truce may once again, hamper the party’s chances to occupy the seat of power in the brick house in 2023. More so, the younger ‘comrades and capacity leaders’ aiming to strengthen their political aspirations are likely to have so much to deal with, given the effect of the tussle between the lords of the state party.
Should the APC lose the 2023 elections in Rivers State, its political relevance would be at stake, holding words and no action. Although human wisdom is limited, it is still profitable to direct. Till then, we the political spectators are comfortably seated, watching the drama unfold.
Success Nwanedo writes
