Political parties in Rivers state have conducted their primaries across various centres in the state following the release of election guidelines by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
Candidates who emerged include members of both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), all reportedly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike
In Ikwerre Local Government Area, Charles Wobodo emerged as the APC chairmanship candidate for the August 30th local government poll. Wobodo secured the party’s ticket with 64 out of 65 votes cast during the electronic primary.
The Returning Officer, Daniel Michael, who announced the result, said:
“By this, we declare that Charles Wobodo is the Chairmanship candidate-elect for Ikwerre Local Government Area.”
In his acceptance speech, Wobodo thanked APC members in Ikwerre for their overwhelming support and pledged to deliver purposeful leadership if elected.
“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 further assured party faithful and supporters that he would not betray their trust, promising to promote unity and work for the progress of Ikwerre.
Meanwhile, the Chief Emeka Beke-led APC in Rivers State has distanced itself from what it described as an unauthorised endorsement of persons entirely unknown to the party as candidates.
The spokesperson of the Emeka Beke-led APC, Darrington Nwauju, said the party has a constitution and established procedures for conducting primaries. He stressed that these procedures do not include the gifting of party flags or the endorsement or recognition of individuals whose identities are strange or whose names do not appear in the party register.
Some of the other candidates who emerged include Dr. Chidi Lloyd, an ally of Nyesom Wike, as Chairmanship candidate for Emuoha LGA; Dr. Thomas Bariere for Khana LGA; and Hon. Confidence Dekor for Gokana LGA.
Others are:
- Tai LGA – Mbakpone Okpe
- Okrika LGA – Akuro Tobins
- Port Harcourt City LGA – Allwell Ihunda
- Asari Toru LGA – Onengiyeofori George
Other candidates include:
- Okrika – Akuro Tobin
- Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni – Shedrack Chukwu
- Omuma LGA – Uchechukwu Obasi
- Degema LGA – Michael Williams
- Oyigbo LGA – Okechukwu Akara
- Bonny LGA – Abinye Blessing Pepple
- Ogu/Bolo – Vincent Nemioboka
- Etche LGA – Hon. Chima Njoku
These candidates are believed to be from the Wike camp.
Candidates for about eight local government areas are still being awaited.
