There is growing confusion in Rivers State ahead of the local government elections scheduled for August 30, 2025, as several members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been announced as chairmanship candidates for the All Progressives Congress (APC) across numerous local government areas.
Observations indicate that out of the 23 local government areas in the state, PDP members are emerging as APC chairmanship candidates in 12 areas following the recent primaries. The council areas affected include Asari Toru, Ikwerre, Khana, Tai, Degema, Bonny, Oyigbo, Omuma, Ogu/Bolo, Gokana, and Etche.
Notably, those who have won on the PDP platform and are now identified as APC candidates hail from Emohua, Port Harcourt City, and Obio/Akpor local government areas.
In the backdrop of this development, major political parties in Rivers State, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the Action Peoples Party (APP), and a faction of the APC, are considering boycotting the upcoming local government elections.
The APP, which had the backing of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, won 22 out of 23 local government areas during the October 5, 2024, elections. However, the elected chairpersons were subsequently removed by a Supreme Court ruling on February 25, 2025, which determined that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) had failed to adhere to the required 90-day notice stipulated by the Electoral Act.
ADC spokesman Chief Luckyman Egila stated that the party has yet to make a decision regarding its participation in the elections, indicating that a stakeholders’ meeting will be convened to finalize their stance. “In the coming days, the critical stakeholders of the ADC will meet and deliberate on whether we will partake in the forthcoming LG election,” he said.
Similarly, Hon. Darlington Nwauju, spokesman for the Chief Emeka Beke-led faction of the APC, noted that the party’s participation depends on resolving ongoing internal conflicts and obtaining full recognition from the RSIEC. He expressed hope for reconciliation with the national APC leadership to protect the party’s interests.
As the situation unfolds, the dynamics of the local government elections in Rivers State remain uncertain, with potential ramifications for the political landscape.
