PDP BoT members’ visit to Fubara panic move — Rivers APP

The State Chairman of the Action People’s Party (APP), Sunny Wokekoro, has described the recent visit by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT) members to Governor Siminalayi Fubara as a panicking move.

Wokekoro, a former PDP stalwart, told The Guardian on Friday that the PDP continues to deteriorate, criticising its current national leaders as the worst the party has ever had.

Speculation exists that Governor Fubara might join the APP or another party if the PDP is controlled by his estranged godfather, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. The Guardian noted that the APP office in Rivers was recently bombed amid insinuations that the governor had a hand in its establishment.

Wokekoro revealed that the APP’s profile in the state is gaining momentum, with members from the Labour Party, PDP, and All Progressives Congress (APC) joining them.

He stated that the APP poses a threat to the PDP and predicted that, after the local government elections in October, the party will challenge both the PDP and APC in the South-South zone and across Nigeria.

Wokekoro said, “If you listen to the BoT chairman’s speech, you will notice their panic and concern about developments in the state. They assume the governor is with us, but he has not joined us yet. We would be glad if he and his followers join us; our doors are open.

“We are prepared for the LG elections; we have 319 wards for councilorship and 23 candidates for chairmanship positions.”

He maintained that the PDP is losing support in Rivers State.

Additionally, policy and public affairs analyst and former Media Adviser to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Opunabo Inko-Tariah, said Governor Fubara is calculating and aware of his actions. He explained that the governor is currently observing PDP’s actions, which will influence his decision.

Inko-Tariah advised the governor’s followers to remain steadfast, expressing confidence that they will win the battle. He also warned that the Minister may seek to ignite a crisis and call for a state of emergency due to his loss of power but expressed hope that President Bola Tinubu, being an experienced politician, would prevent such an outcome.