As Rivers State gears up for its much-anticipated local government elections scheduled for August 30, 2025, candidates for chairmanship and councillorship positions have officially emerged across the state, following party primaries held over the weekend.
Saturday’s primaries, held in compliance with the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) guidelines, saw political parties nominate their flagbearers across various local government areas.
While several candidates secured their spots through open balloting, others reportedly emerged via consensus arrangements, particularly within the state’s dominant political factions.
Notably, a significant number of the selected candidates are loyalists of the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, underlining his enduring influence on local politics.
In Ikwerre Local Government Area, Charles Wobodo clinched the APC chairmanship ticket with an overwhelming 64 out of 65 electronic votes.
The returning officer, Daniel Michael, formally announced Wobodo’s victory, affirming his candidacy for the upcoming polls.
In his acceptance speech, Wobodo expressed gratitude to party members and leaders for their trust:
“You have shown that hard work pays. I’m honoured to carry the flag of the APC in Ikwerre, and I assure you this win is not mine alone—it is for our people.”
He pledged to run an inclusive and development-focused administration if elected.
However, the APC’s internal dynamics in Rivers State remain unsettled. The Chief Emeka Beke-led faction of the party disavowed several candidate endorsements, accusing rival groups of bypassing official nomination processes.
READ ALSO:Â Rivers Govt Lashes Out at Waste Contractors Over Mounting Refuse Crisis
Darrington Nwauju, spokesperson for the faction, emphasized adherence to the party’s constitution and criticized the presentation of flags and recognitions to individuals not listed in the official party register.
Despite the party’s internal friction, several high-profile names emerged from both the APC and PDP, particularly those aligned with Wike’s political camp. They include:
Dr. Chidi Lloyd – Emuoha LGA
Dr. Thomas Bariere – Khana LGA
Hon. Confidence Dekor – Gokana LGA
Mbakpone Okpe – Tai LGA
Akuro Tobin – Okrika LGA
Allwell Ihunda – Port Harcourt City LGA
Onengiyeofori George – Asari-Toru LGA
These candidates, many of whom previously held chairmanship positions during Wike’s gubernatorial tenure, signal a return of familiar faces to the political frontline.
Additional candidates include Shedrack Chukwu (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Uchechukwu Obasi (Omuma), Michael Williams (Degema), Okechukwu Akara (Oyigbo), Abinye Blessing Pepple (Bonny), Vincent Nemioboka (Ogu/Bolo), and Hon. Chima Njoku (Etche)—all reportedly under Wike’s political umbrella.
As of this report, the candidates for eight LGAs are yet to be finalized.
The upcoming elections are poised to serve not only as a litmus test for party dominance at the grassroots but also as a reflection of ongoing political alignments in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.