Wike Loyalists Dominate Chairmanship, Councillorship Candidacies Emerge As Candidates In APC, PDP

Nyesom Wike…….. As political activities gain momentum ahead of the August 30th, 2025, local government elections in Rivers State, loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, have taken center stage, clinching key chairmanship and councillorship slots across major local government areas. The surprising twist? These candidates are emerging not only from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but also from the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), in what many analysts describe as an unprecedented show of political dominance.

According to The PUNCH, the primaries held on Saturday, shortly after the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission released election guidelines, saw both parties conducting candidate selections via regular voting and, in some cases, consensus arrangements. A strong pattern emerged: many of the candidates are well-known allies of Wike and former local government chairmen who served during his tenure as governor.

Wike’s Loyalists Secure Stronghold Across Parties

In Ikwerre Local Government Area, Charles Wobodo emerged as the APC’s chairmanship candidate after securing 64 out of 65 votes through the party’s electronic primary system. Wobodo, in his acceptance speech, lauded the party faithful for their trust and vowed to deliver purposeful leadership if elected.

“You have shown that hard work pays. I want to thank you for giving me the mandate of this party to carry the flag of the APC in the coming local government elections. I assure you my win is for Ikwerre local government,” Wobodo declared.

However, Wobodo is not alone. A wide array of Wike’s allies have emerged across various LGAs. These include:

• Dr. Chidi Lloyd (Emuoha LGA)
• Dr. Thomas Bariere (Khana LGA)
• Hon. Confidence Dekor (Gokana LGA)
• Mbakpone Okpe (Tai LGA)
• Akuro Tobins (Okrika LGA)
• Allwell Ihunda (Port Harcourt City LGA)
• Onengiyeofori George (Asari-Toru LGA)

All these figures share a common background: they served as local government chairmen during Wike’s administration as governor, indicating a recycling of leadership under his political influence.

Other candidates tied to Wike include:

• Shedrack Chukwu (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA)
• Uchechukwu Obasi (Omuma LGA)
• Michael Williams (Degema LGA)
• Okechukwu Akara (Oyigbo LGA)
• Abinye Blessing Pepple (Bonny LGA)
• Vincent Nemioboka (Ogu/Bolo LGA)
• Hon. Chima Njoku (Etche LGA)

Despite the stream of endorsements and recognitions, the names of candidates for about eight LGAs remain pending, sparking further speculation about whether more Wike loyalists will emerge.

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APC Faction Disowns Wike-Backed Candidates

In a swift reaction to these developments, the Chief Emeka Beke-led faction of the APC in Rivers State has distanced itself from the selection of individuals they claim are neither known to the party nor recognized as legitimate members. The faction expressed outrage at what it described as “unauthorised endorsements,” alleging a complete disregard for party regulations.

Darrington Nwauju, the faction’s spokesperson, stated, “The APC has a constitution and laid-down procedures for the conduct of primaries. These procedures do not include gifting out party flags, endorsements, or recognition to persons whose identities are entirely strange or whose names are not reflected in the party register.”

This rift indicates a deepening crisis within the APC in Rivers State. The party, already grappling with internal disunity, now faces the added challenge of having external influence—allegedly from Wike—reshape its local government election strategy. Political watchers suggest that Wike’s strategic placement of loyalists within both the APC and PDP camps may be a calculated move to maintain political control across Rivers State regardless of party affiliation.

Some analysts also argue that these developments reflect a broader erosion of ideological boundaries in Nigerian politics, where loyalty to political heavyweights often trumps commitment to party platforms. With former PDP loyalists now contesting under APC banners and vice versa, the August 30th elections may become less about party identity and more about individual allegiances and political networks.

Implications for Rivers State Politics

As the countdown to the local government polls continues, the growing influence of Wike’s political machinery across party lines raises serious questions about the independence of party structures in the state. The ability of a single figure to dominate both PDP and APC nominations signals a consolidation of power that could have far-reaching implications ahead of the 2027 general elections.

While Wike remains a dominant force in Rivers politics, the discontent expressed by the Emeka Beke-led APC faction could trigger legal and procedural battles before the polls. If unresolved, this division might create confusion among voters and possibly affect the credibility of the election outcomes.

For now, all eyes are on the remaining LGA candidacies yet to be declared and how both parties will manage the escalating tensions within their ranks as August 30th approaches.