The Action Peoples Party (APP) officially kicked off its campaign yesterday at the zonal district level, gearing up for the upcoming Local Government Area (LGA) elections scheduled for October 5, 2024, in Rivers State. The rally, held in Bori, Khana LGA, drew a large and enthusiastic crowd, signaling strong support for the party as it seeks to galvanize voters ahead of the polls.
Most of the APP candidates are former members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) who recently departed the party due to ongoing rifts between State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his political mentor, Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Tensions escalated following a recent PDP congress, presided over by Wike, that saw the election of new executive members for the party in the state, while Governor Fubara and his allies were notably absent.
Supporters of Fubara have expressed their frustration with the PDP leadership, arguing that their exclusion from the party’s recent activities necessitates a shift to the APP. Reports are circulating that the governor himself is considering joining the APP as a strategy to maintain his political relevance amidst the party’s internal strife.
During the rally, contesters and APP supporters passionately called for liberation from what they described as the “bondage of a single man’s order.” Echoing sentiments of change and hope, they declared, “We will not return back to Egypt after eight years of stagnation.” The campaign atmosphere was charged with optimism, particularly among supporters from the seven LGAs in the Rivers South-East senatorial district, who emphasized the significance of the upcoming elections for the state’s development.
Oji Ngofa, a former Nigerian Ambassador to the Netherlands and a prominent ally of Governor Fubara took to the stage to rally support. He affirmed the importance of resisting any attempts to revert to outdated political practices, asserting, “It is time for Rivers people to use whatever platform to return the state to the people.” Ngofa underscored the necessity of solidarity behind Fubara’s leadership.
As the APP chairman, Sunny Wokekoro, presented flags to the party’s various LGA chairmanship candidates, he highlighted that these individuals were selected for their proven leadership capabilities. Wokekoro expressed confidence that the APP would deliver tangible benefits to the grassroots, stating, “By the time we are done with the LGA election, everybody from local, state, and national will take APP seriously.”
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He assured attendees of the party’s potential for victory, declaring, “This will be made possible because the people are behind APP. God is on our side, to use us as a tool to liberate Rivers State.” Wokekoro called for unity among Rivers residents, regardless of ethnic or sectoral affiliations, emphasizing that the APP is dedicated to advancing the aspirations of the people.
The strong turnout and fervent support witnessed at the campaign launch indicate a burgeoning momentum for the APP as it seeks to redefine the political landscape in Rivers State ahead of the October elections.
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