Loyalists of Governor Siminalayi Fubara in Rivers State, including members of the Simplified Movement, have been instructed to run in the upcoming local council elections under the All Peoples Party (APP). This directive came from the Simplified family, a group that backs the governor’s administration.
The decision to switch platforms is a response to the ongoing crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), through which Fubara was initially elected.
The ongoing rift between Fubara and his former mentor—the former governor of Rivers State—the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has deepened. Wike, who still wields considerable influence over the PDP at both state and national levels, has allegedly formed alliances with other political parties, including the Labour Party (LP), the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and the All Progressives Congress (APC), making it difficult for Fubara’s camp to align with any of these groups.
As Fubara’s supporters shift to the APP, the party has seen a steady increase in influence and strength in Rivers State, buoyed by the governor’s popularity and leadership style.
The upcoming local council elections, scheduled for October 5, 2024, will feature some of the Caretaker Committee (CTC) Chairmen appointed by Fubara just three months ago. While some chairmen have been chosen to return based on their performance, loyalty, and zoning arrangements, others failed to secure the nod for a second term.
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It was stated that the criteria for selecting candidates do not include just loyalty, but also the ability to perform effectively within the short time frame given. While some outgoing chairmen were loyal, their inability to meet performance expectations cost them another term.
In contrast, Gogo Wellington, the spokesperson for the Labour Party in the state, has criticized the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for not living up to its promises regarding the conduct of the upcoming polls.
