23 Chairmanship Candidates Emerge from Rivers State Primaries Amid Mixed Reactions

-


— By Nwafor Oji Awala

The political atmosphere in Rivers State intensified over the weekend as the 23 chairmanship candidates for the forthcoming August 30, 2025 local government elections officially emerged from their respective party primaries held across the state.

The primaries, conducted last Saturday, were largely peaceful and devoid of the violent confrontations that have marred similar exercises in the past. However, despite the calm, the process has drawn mixed reactions from political observers, civil society groups, and grassroots stakeholders, many of whom have raised concerns over what they described as “pre-arranged outcomes.”

According to the Independent Electoral Commission of Rivers State (IECRS), the following candidates have been confirmed as their party’s flag bearers:

All Progressives Congress (APC):

  1. Omuma — Obasi Uchechukwu Nnabuike
  2. Abua/Odual — Owolabi Ofori
  3. Andoni — Prince Promise Otuo Lucky
  4. Ogu-Bolo — Vincent Nemieboka
  5. Okrika — Akuro Tobin
  6. Gokana — Confidence Dekor
  7. Khana — Bariere Thomas
  8. Tai — Mbakpone Friday
  9. Eleme — Chief Obari Ollormate Ollor
  10. Oyigbo — Okechukwu Akara
  11. Degema — Michael John Williams
  12. Asari-Toru — Onengiyeofori George
  13. Ikwerre — Charles Wobodo
  14. Etche — Chima Njoku
  15. Akuku-Toru — Aboiaya Bobfubara

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP):

  1. Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni — Shadrach Chukwu Ogbogwu
  2. Obio-Akpor — Gift Worlu
  3. Port Harcourt — Allwell Ihunda
  4. Ahoada-East — Solomon Abuba
  5. Ahoada-West — Eugene Opelle
  6. Emohua — Chidi Lloyd
  7. Opobo-Nkoro — James A. James
  8. Bonny — Abinye Blessing Pepple

While the parties—particularly the APC and PDP—have lauded the primaries as a “demonstration of internal democracy and grassroots engagement,” critics argue that most candidates were handpicked by powerful party stakeholders and godfathers, leaving little room for real competition.

Political analyst Tonte Worlu described the process as “a polite coronation rather than a democratic contest.” He added, “We saw more consensus than competition. There’s little evidence that delegates were allowed to vote freely in many places.”

Civil rights groups, including the Rivers Coalition for Transparent Governance (RCTG), expressed similar sentiments, warning that the rising trend of imposed candidates could erode public confidence in local democracy.

“The fact that there was no violence is commendable,” said Dr. Mercy Orubebe of RCTG, “but that alone doesn’t equal credibility. We need to ensure that candidates emerge through truly competitive processes that reflect the will of the party base.”

Others, however, see the calm conduct of the primaries as a step forward. APC chieftain in Khana, Chief Monday Nwibani, praised the exercise, stating, “It’s not every time we must go to war to select our leaders. This is maturity, and it’s what the people want—peace and progress.”

The build-up to the August 30 elections is expected to intensify in the coming weeks, as candidates begin grassroots mobilization, town hall engagements, and manifesto presentations. All eyes will be on the two dominant parties, APC and PDP, as they jostle for control of Rivers State’s 23 local government councils. 

Whether the primary process was flawed or fair, the coming election promises to be a litmus test for both parties—and a referendum on leadership at the grassroots.

(c) Prime Heritage Magazine 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

OGALE STAKEHOLDERS RECEIVE LEGAL BRIEFING ON LANDMARK COURT RULING IN SHELL POLLUTION CASE

-
Image
By Nwafor Oji Awala. Ogale, Eleme – July 11, 2025 The Royal Court at Obarijima Palace, Ogale, was the venue of a momentous stakeholders’ meeting on Friday, July 11, 2025, as members of the Ogale community gathered to receive a comprehensive legal update on their long-standing environmental lawsuit against oil giant Shell. The briefing was delivered by Mr. Anthony Hayward of Leigh Day, the UK-based law firm representing both Ogale and Bille communities in the case currently before the High Court in London. Presiding over the gathering was His Royal Highness, King Godwin Maduabushi Bebe Okpabi Paramount Ruler of Ogale and Oneh-eh Nchia X. The meeting drew a cross-section of the community: traditional chiefs, women leaders, youth representatives, legal observers, and members of the diaspora, all unified by a deep concern over the environmental devastation that has plagued Ogale for decades. A Legal Turning Point for Ogale and Bille Mr. Hayward’s update focused on the preliminary ...
Read more

Prof. Ndowa Lale Leads Peace Drive to Reunite MOSOP: Ogoni Chiefs Council Charts New Course for Unity

-
Image
By John Ollor Obe. In a pivotal move to resolve the longstanding leadership crisis within the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), the Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers has inaugurated a high-powered Peace Reconciliation Committee—placing Professor Sunday Ndowa E. Lale, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, at the helm of efforts to reunite the fractured movement. The committee was officially inaugurated on July 15, 2025, under the guidance of HRM (Sir) King Samuel L. A. Nnee JP, AmbP, FIIM, ACArb, D.min, the Gbenemene of Tai Kingdom and Convener of the Supreme Council. With the blessing of the court, the Council has sought to mediate and harmonize leadership disputes that have plagued MOSOP for years. Prof. Lale, a renowned academic and community leader from Eleme, was appointed Chairman of the reconciliation body—tasked with the monumental responsibility of restoring peace and cohesion to MOSOP, which for decades has been the global vo...
Read more

FROM SETBACK TO STARDOM: THE RELENTLESS JOURNEY OF SHARON EJII OBEY TO THE BAR

-
Image
By Nwafor Oji Awala | In an inspiring tale of grit, grace, and unshakable faith, Sharon Ejii Obey has emerged not only as a Barrister but as a shining symbol of relentless determination, proving that setbacks are setups for divine comebacks. The journey began in 2015 when Sharon, a young woman full of dreams and ambition, gained admission to study Law at North America University. Her passion for the legal profession burned bright — until an unexpected storm struck. By her fourth year, Sharon discovered that her university’s Law degree was not recognized by the Nigerian Law School. Devastated but not defeated, she left with only her transcript, facing an uncertain future. "I told myself I will never be a school dropout," Sharon recalls. With this personal vow, she returned to Nigeria and knocked on the doors of several universities, seeking admission to continue from where she had stopped. But almost all required her to start afresh — from 100 level. That painful reality, ...
Read more