Confusion has erupted in Rivers State ahead of the local government elections scheduled for August 30, as members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have reportedly emerged as candidates under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in several local councils.
Findings reveal that many of those listed as APC candidates are well-known PDP loyalists believed to be aligned with Governor Siminalayi Fubara, raising concerns within opposition camps and sparking criticism over the credibility of the process.
Twelve local government areas have so far been affected, with several of the newly unveiled APC candidates lacking any known history of affiliation with the party. Some party members who purchased nomination forms were reportedly sidelined during the selection process.
Reacting to the development, a group of aggrieved APC stakeholders expressed shock and dismay, alleging that the substitution of candidates was part of a broader plot to hand over the APC structure in the state to the ruling PDP.
“This is a mockery of internal democracy. People who have never attended a single APC meeting are now wearing our party’s colours just because they are loyal to the state governor. It is unacceptable,” a party chieftain said anonymously.
Several APC faithful have called on the party’s national leadership to urgently investigate the development and restore genuine party members to the ticket.
Meanwhile, some opposition parties are considering boycotting the elections, citing lack of transparency and the alleged politicization of the electoral process by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
