Rivers LG elections: Wike’s ex-chairmen, councillors make comeback

Former local government chairmen and councillors in Rivers State, most of them allies of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, have resurfaced as candidates in the forthcoming council elections scheduled for August 30, 2025.

Political parties across the state conducted their primaries on Saturday after the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission issued election guidelines. While some flag bearers emerged through formal voting, others were reportedly selected by consensus.

Both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are fielding candidates seen as loyal to Wike.

In Ikwerre Local Government Area, APC members elected Charles Wobodo as their chairmanship candidate. Wobodo secured 64 out of 65 votes in the primary.

Announcing the results, Returning Officer Daniel Michael declared, “By this we declare that Charles Wobodo is the Chairmanship candidate elect for Ikwerre Local Government Area.”

In his acceptance remarks, Wobodo praised party members for their backing.
“My leaders in APC, the stakeholders of the APC here present. You have shown love for me and I thank you very much.

“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,” he said, pledging unity and progress for the area.

However, the faction of the APC led by Chief Emeke Beke dissociated itself from what it described as an unauthorised endorsement process.

Party spokesperson Darrington Nwauju said the APC’s constitution outlines clear procedures for primaries, which, he insisted, “do not include gifting out party flags, endorsement or recognition to persons whose identities are entirely strange or whose names are not reflected as members in the party register.”

Among the PDP candidates are several of Wike’s former allies who previously served as council bosses during his tenure as Rivers governor.

They include Dr Chidi Liyod for Emuoha LGA, Dr Thomas Bariere for Khana LGA, and Hon. Confidence Dekor for Gokana LGA.

Others are Mbakpone Okpe (Tai LGA), Akuro Tobins (Okrika LGA), Allwell Ihunda (Port Harcourt City LGA), and Onengiyeofori George (Asari Toru LGA).

Additional candidates in Wike’s camp are 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), and Hon. Chima Njoku (Etche LGA).

Candidates for about eight local government areas are still awaited.