Rivers LG elections: Fubara declares for Bonny, picks APC Nomination Form

By Jude Opara, Abuja

Ahead of the August 12 Local Government Areas (LGAs) election, the Director General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) State Assembly Forum (ASAF), Ambassador Fubara Dagogo, has officially declared his intention to contest the chairmanship seat of Bonny LGA.

Amb. Dagogo, who has been inundated with numerous calls from stakeholders and members of the 2023 Campaign Council for President Bola Tinubu, made the declaration during a visit to a founding leader of the APC at the Presidential Villa on Thursday.

However, his declaration follows reports that the Tony Okocha-led faction of the APC in Rivers State has allegedly aligned with the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to present consensus candidates in all 24 LGAs due to concerns over Okocha’s non-recognition by the Court as the authentic chairman of the party in Rivers State.

Meanwhile, the Emeka Beke-led faction of the party has appealed to the new APC National Chairman and the National Working Committee (NWC) to recognize him as the legitimate Chairman of the party in the oil rich state.

Beke made the appeal on Thursday during a visit to the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja. He announced that the State Working Committee (SWC) would begin the sale of nomination forms on Friday, signalling the full participation the APC in the August 30 local government elections.

Fubara while declaring his readiness for the race, emphasized that the APC has become a household name in Rivers State, especially in Bonny Local Government Area; even as he bowed that the party would not be intimidated into surrendering the council to the PDP.

According to him, his decision to run was in response to persistent calls from constituents and other stakeholders to rescue Bonny from political actors who have allegedly held the council hostage for so many years.

“I have consulted widely with APC stakeholders within Rivers State and beyond. My ambition is rooted in a genuine desire to elevate Bonny to its rightful place,” Fubara stated.

The Chairmanship hopeful further lamented the consistent lack of infrastructural development in the LGA, stressing that a resource-rich council like Bonny should not remain stagnant.

“The APC has come a long way in Bonny and in Rivers State. We cannot allow our efforts to be wasted by compromised stakeholders determined to weaken the party.

“We have paid our dues in this party. We have built solid grassroots support and are confident of victory in this election. Our aim is to consolidate our gains and position the APC for a resounding victory in 2027 for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he added.

It could be recalled that Amb. Dagogo who has remained a loyal member of the APC, has participated in various elections, including contesting for the councilorship and chairmanship of Bonny Local Government Area in 2011 and 2014, as well as the Rivers State House of Assembly seat for Bonny Constituency in 2019.