For over four years, a strange political realignment has continued to take place in Rivers State. It began with most staunch supporters of the opposition (Amaechi followers) moving over to the Brown Door (Wike’s camp). Some got positions late in the Wike administration and some said they went to lend support to an Ijaw candidate (Sim Fubara). It was at that moment that the rains ca,e, whereby the Wike/Fubara camp broke into two. Many movements across the carpet took place until nobody could recognize the diving lines.
At last, it dovetailed into Fubara versus Wike, no more about parties but camps. Wike remained in the PDP but continued to control the APC in the state. That way, he is the chieftain of both the PDP and APC. This eventually resulted into what looks like PDAPC system. Wike seems to have so much to share round, and this seems to have pulled many followers to him: cash, political appointments, access to the FG power, political protection from any kind of ‘sin’, etc. So, followers swam across in droves.
The rest rallied round Fubara, mostly from injured and angered political followers of over one decade; steaming from the Amaechi camp, the Omehia camp, the Nwuche camp, and other sundry camps. Now, the rug seemed to have been pulled off their feet as Fubara has made peace with Wike to survive.
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Now, Fubara surrendered the political structure which has almost fallen into his hands because his rise angered Abuja (both the FCT and Aso Rock).
Evidence has emerged now that LGA elections are around the corner. Those who were against election notice of less than 90 days as provided for by the Constitution are now happy for mere 21 days. Those that were in support of inadequate notice now seem angry that the notice is not long enough.
Defection was a weapon. Most of those in the PDP that defected rushed back when they apparently got counsel from above that defection would rob them their membership of the Rivers State House of Assembly. So, they chose to remain in the PDP but play in the APC, thus creating a PDAPC system of party politics.
Now that the Wike camp seems to have recaptured power in the state, and the LGA election is here, legally or not, a bizarre kind of system has emerged whereby those who won the APC primaries seem to be PDP members. The Fubara camp which had moved to the APP to fight seems to have gone underground to give Wike a chance and to convince Aso Rock that the suspended governor has truly surrendered.
Conclusion, the 23 LGAs in Rivers State would be occupied through a highly controversial election system and would be comfortably snugged in Wike’s bag, not in PDP or APC. That seems to be the new normal in Rivers State, but many believe that unimaginable things would surely happen in years to come when the strange bedfellows begin to seek adjustments and consolidation in the LGAs and state power structure. Implosion will be inevitable!
