2011 LG Polls: Intrigues, Power Play In Rivers State

As the preparations for the 2011 elections gather momentum, political intrigues continue to play itself out in the political terrain of some of the local government areas in Rivers State.

Some of the local government areas where politicians have started to warm up to wrest power from the incumbent chairmen include Opobo/Nkoro, Eleme, Ikwerre, Tai, Emohua, Degema, Oyigbo and Obio-Akpor.

Several of the candidates on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are contesting. They are applying political intrigues to solicit support for their ambition to rule their respective local government councils, while  others are searching for political relevance in their constituencies.

Again, with the end of the tenure of the present local government council chairmen gradually drawing to a close, primaries and nomination for PDP candidates would start soon to determine who takes over control of leadership at the third tier of the democratic governance.

This scenario has created political anxiety among candidates vying for one elective office or the other to control political power at the grassroots level in the state.

The intrigues continue to play out to the extent that some powerful political gladiators at the corridors of power and close associates of the various candidates are engaging themselves in power play to get party tickets.

Some individuals who are ready to circumvent the rules of existing political equation within the political structure of the grassroots politics of their local government areas seem to have their way politically. The political anxiety is further heightened by the need for some political leaders to jettison the prevailing political power sharing arrangements within their constituencies that tend to ensure fairness, equity and justice.

In Khana Local Government Area, for example, Barr. Patrick Igbara, a prominent politician from the area, said political offices especially the chairmanship slot rotates between two political blocs of Nyo-Khana and Ken-Khana/Babbe blocs.

Igbara said: “The current council’s chairman, Hon. Greg Nwidah is from Ken-Khana/Babbe political bloc, while two elected former council chairmen, Hon. Letam Korsi and Hon Legborsi Lee are from the Nyo-Khana political bloc.”

Mr. Patrick Igbara stated that “it is fair for the Ken-Khana/Babbe constituency to still retain the chairmanship slot for justice and equity to prevail in the area.”

But there are indications that candidates from the Nyo-Khana are determined to take over the control of the Khana council come 2011 local government elections.

A stalwart of PDP in Khana, Chief Promise Poronee of the Ken-khana/Babbe constituency was prepared to retain the council’s chairmanship slot despite what he said was the misguided PDP stakeholders resolution against the Ken-Khana/Babbe political bloc and the current council chairman, Hon. Greg Nwidam.

In his words, “the council chairmanship contest is a straight contest between the current chairman, Hon. Greg Nwidam and Mr. Dominic Pianen, Board member, Universal Basic Education (UBE), who has already indicated interest to contest.

In Gokana Local Government council, no person has emerged to challenge the current chairman, Hon. Victor Giadom.

However, a politician in the area, Hon. Lucky Baridam said the Gokana  race was also a fierce contest between the Panumu bloc and Kibangha political bloc.

But Hon. Baridam said for now, the Kebangha political bloc was totally in control of the grassroots politics of Gokana and power.

It is believed that Hon. Victor Giadom has performed to the satisfaction of major Gokana political stakeholders and they observed that Giadom deserved a second term.

In Tai Local Government Area, there are also two political blocs, which are Tua-Tua and Nonwa political blocs.

Hon. John Aminikpo said the Tua Tua political bloc had dominated Tai political leadership positions over the Nonwa bloc.

Hon Aminikpo stated that the 2011 local government election promised to be a fierce battle as the Nonwa bloc was politically battle ready to take the chairmanship.

However, the current secretary of the council, Mr Gbenekanu Kuapie and Dr Batam Ndedgwe from Nonwa political bloc have both indicated interest to contest as the current chairman, Hon Barry Mpigi is serving his second term in office.

In Eleme Local Government Area, the power game is always between the Nchia and Odido blocs.

The current chairman, Hon Oji Ngofa from Nchia is interested in coming back for second term.

However, strong contenders have emerged to challenge Hon Oji Ngofa for the chairmanship slot.

Hon Sunny Ogbu, a former councillor added that Mr Chidi Chu, Hon Sylvanus Sanwi, all from Eteo have indicated interest to challenge Oji Ngofa for the council’s chairmanship position.

In Akuku Toru Local Government Area, 10 aspirants have emerged to wrest power from the current council chairman, Hon. Paul Awoyesuku.

The list include Hon. Theodore Georgewill, Chief Dr Owunari, Georgewill, Hon Otuka Georgewill, Hon Soberekon Clerk Georgewill, Hon Tonye Wellington Granville, Hon Asie Kala Otaji, Tonye Lolomari, Hon Iboroma Kitchner, member, House of Assembly is also interested in contesting the Akuku Toru local government council chairmanship position, and Isobo Jack.

Reliable sources indicated that it was the turn of Georgewill compound to produce the council chairman in the 2011 local government elections.

However, all the political intrigues are only expected to add colour to the emerging political senario in Rivers State.

Philip-Wuwu Okparaji