Wike’s Ex-LG Chairmen Resurface Ahead of Rivers Elections
By : IDNN Politics
The build-up to the August 30th, 2025 Local Government elections in Rivers State has taken a sharp political turn, with many former chairmen from the Nyesom Wike era re-emerging as candidates. Their reappearance, under both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) banners, has triggered fresh accusations of party capture and deepened intra-party rifts.
Party primaries held across the state on Saturday saw loyalists of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, clinch chairmanship and councillorship tickets. In several local governments, candidates were reportedly selected through consensus arrangements rather than full delegate contests.
🔁 Familiar Faces, Fresh Mandates
In Ikwerre LGA, Charles Wobodo secured the APC chairmanship ticket with 64 out of 65 electronic votes cast. Declared winner by the Returning Officer, Daniel Michael, Wobodo pledged to “deliver purposeful leadership” and “unite the Ikwerre people under the APC banner.”
Other notable Wike-era figures who emerged include:
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Dr. Chidi Lloyd (Emuoha LGA)
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Dr. Thomas Bariere (Khana LGA)
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Hon. Confidence Dekor (Gokana LGA)
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Allwell Ihunda (Port Harcourt City LGA)
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Onengiyeofori George (Asari-Toru LGA)
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Mbakpone Okpe (Tai LGA)
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Akuro Tobin (Okrika LGA)
These names — and more from Etche, Degema, Oyigbo, Bonny, and Omuma LGAs — all previously served as elected chairmen when Wike was governor, cementing the view that the former Rivers helmsman remains deeply embedded in the state’s political machinery.
Crisis in the APC?
However, the internal split in Rivers APC widened over the weekend, as the Chief Emeka Beke-led faction disavowed the primaries and candidates.
“These names are unknown to the party. There was no authorized primary process. No flag has been handed to these individuals by the party’s leadership,” said APC spokesperson Darrington Nwauju.
He emphasized that the party’s constitution does not support endorsements outside the formal primary structure, raising questions about the legitimacy of the Wike-aligned candidates flying the APC flag.
🧩 What It Means for August 30
The re-emergence of Wike’s loyalists is a clear signal that he still commands deep influence in both Rivers PDP and APC factions, despite his ministerial posting in Abuja. Analysts warn this could lead to contested mandates, legal challenges, and further schisms within party structures.
Meanwhile, for opposition voices hoping to reclaim the grassroots in Rivers, the road just got steeper.
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