Rivers LG polls: Opposition parties consider coalition against APP

By Jude Opara, Abuja

Ahead of the forthcoming October 5 local council elections in Rivers State, some opposition political parties in Bonny Local Government Area have agreed to form a coalition and present a stronger candidate to challenge the candidate of the All Peoples Party (APP), who is alleged to have been imposed on the local government area.
Prior to this, a list of political parties and their candidates, which was released last week by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), showed that all the newly appointed Caretaker Committee chairmen, appointed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, appeared as candidates of the APP.
This development has sparked complaints and rejection of the alleged imposition of candidates by the Governor.
To demonstrate their rejection of any form of candidate imposition in Bonny Local Government Area, the major opposition parties have resolved to form a coalition that will adopt a stronger candidate from among the political parties to ensure victory against the APP candidate in the council.
One of the chairmanship candidates who on Monday confirmed the planned coalition to our reporter, said that about 10 candidates from different political parties have scheduled a meeting on Wednesday in Bonny to commence coalition talks aimed at strengthening their chances ahead of the polls.
The candidate, who preferred to remain anonymous, said the political parties involved include the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Labour Party (LP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Action Alliance (AA), New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Young Progressives Party (YPP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and others.
He stated that the political parties are not happy with what he described as imperialism in Bonny, stressing that the upcoming election will send a message to those who believe in a ‘sit-tight’ democracy.
He added that the coalition is strongly against the plot to annex Bonny LGA, adding that the council is too significant for such actions.
We are ready to change the downward trajectory in our beloved Bonny Local Government Area. For the past six years, one individual has remained at the helm of the local government with no developmental projects to show for it. This same individual has transitioned from ‘elected’ vice chairman to substantive chairman, then returned as caretaker chairman when the tenure was declared over. Now, the same individual is seeking every form of non-existent endorsement to be imposed as chairman once again.
“This, concerned citizens and stakeholders have rejected, and the people of Bonny will use this election to say no to imposition and sit-tight regimes. We have resolved to move Bonny out of its current state of stagnation as we are all committed to a new Bonny project.
“We all belong to the SIMplified Movement, which has given massive support to our dear Governor, Sim Fubara, irrespective of our political affiliations. Our decision to form this coalition is in the best interest of the people of Bonny and Rivers State at large. The coalition will endure because we are united in our mission to back a stronger candidate who will join forces with others to save Bonny and move it away from its current stagnation,” the chairmanship candidate stated.