…Outcome of numerous reconciliation and nocturnal meetings spill to the open at last
Over 50 candidates of various political parties in Rivers State already cleared by the electoral body have withdrawn from the fast approaching elections on Saturday for candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The action seems to reveal the reason for the endless nocturnal meetings held around the country to bring to an end the political wars between Gov Sim Fubara and his erstwhile godfather, Nyesom Wike, now FCT Minister. Wike is regarded as a close ally to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and one of those believed to have done things to help the president clinch victory in 2023.
The APC in Rivers State led by Tony Okocha has announced the crossover of the over 50 candidates already cleared by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for the 30th August 2025 local government elections from other political parties.
Okocha said the candidates have ‘kowtowed’ to the fire power of the APC Rivers State, saying the candidates visited them at their State Secretariat allegedly to announce their withdrawal from the race. “They came under the aegis of “Coalition of All Party Candidates.”
The APC in Rivers State has two factions both of which submitted lists of candidates to RSIEC, but it is only the Okocha-led group that has been seen campaigning openly.
Vincent Gbosi, media aide to the party boss, said the other parties’ candidates came together in a coalition and held a crucial meeting with the leadership of Rivers state APC, after which they allegedly pledged loyalty to the Rivers State APC and all their candidates stepped down for the APC candidates in the Saturday election.
Read also: Winners of Rivers’ most peaceful election known ahead of voting due to ‘collabo’ system
Okocha said he presided over the state executive council on Wednesday, August 27, 2025. He said the meeting was part of last minute preparation towards the August 30, 2025 LGA election.
This may show that his section of the APC is the one making all the moves and waves. The other parties seem quiet. The other faction of same APC believed to be loyal to Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the former transportation minister, headed in the state by Emeka Beke, seems to not to be carrying out rallies.
Instead, Okocha announced on Wednesday thus: “Today, I was at the palace of His Majesty, King Ateke Tom, King of Okochiri Kingdom, Okrika LGA, on courtesy visit on arrival in Okrika. It was an opportunity to present our candidates for the 30th August 2025 LGA elections in Rivers State. You can’t beat the warm hospitality and cozy atmosphere that greeted this occasion.”
The rally was last held in Ikwerre LGA where Okocha was said to have brought unmatched color and ambiance to the grand finale rally at Omagwa attracting a galaxy of APC leaders and stakeholders from within and beyond the Local Government.
Addressing the crowd of supporters, Okocha was said to have charged party members to turn out en-masse on August 30, 2025, to cast their votes for the chairmanship and councillorship candidates in all the LGAs.
He commended the people for their impressive turnout, stressing that the APC in Rivers State is strategically positioned to sweep all 23 chairmanship positions and the 319 councillorship seats in the forthcoming elections.
