As 2011 elections draw closer, the political landscape in Rivers State seems to be favourable for a peaceful transition. Various political parties would be jostling for elective offices, while others would be ready to accept voters verdict for losing control of the seat of governance.

Interestingly, however, the incumbent Governor, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi will be seeking for a second term from the electorate, who had graciously benefited from his democratic revolution in the state.

But the opposition groups are determined and ready to step on his toes to stop his governoship ambition, despite his turning the state into investors destination, within the short period on the saddle of leadership.

No doubt, there lies ahead a political mine field, fluid political situation and frantic scenario to determine who occupies what elective position in all the segments of the electoral process, come 2011.

A cross section of political observers believed that Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has exhibited boldness, fearlessness,  transparent accountability and courage in the administration of the state, therefore he deserves a second tenure to consolidate his achievements.

He is a man of vision for a great new Rivers State and they also believe that with Amaechi as a role model, akin to that of Bill Newman’s leadership concept, he, has what it takes to be a leader.

Amaechi is constantly challenged by his vision of the world around him and being compelled to make a mark of difference through the force of his ideas, desires and resources of the state for the benefit of the people.

But being a follower of Bill Newman’s leadership concept many had described some of his perceived actions as lacking in tact,  diplomacy and cultivation of friendship, especially with the opposition groups in the state.

Obviously, within the PDP fold, Governor Amaechi has diligently entrenched due process as the hallmark of his admiration to the administration of the majority of the people in the state.

Successive governments in the state have tried their best to develop the state, yet little successes were recorded until now. But no government or administration has had the political will, strength of character and the determination to transform the state.

The government is committed to fast tracking development and transforming dividends of good governance to the people to ensure that the people are economically empowered through job opportunities, infrastructural development, and addressing the underdevelopment.

Governor Amaechi and political faithfuls are placing their hopes upon the achievements of his administration in various areas, such as restoration of peace and security, developmental strides in such areas as building of modern schools infrastructure, primary health centres, massive roads construction and reconstruction across the state.

Mr. Joseph Chukwu, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart from Omuma Local Government Area said Amaechi’s achievements speak for him and his second coming as Governor.

He said “Rivers people want Amaechi back for second term in office based on his achievements in office.

Mr. Joseph Chukwu added that the Governor has the structures of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under his control in Rivers State, stressing that “we will ensure that our party delegates from the 319 wards vote for his second term slot as the PDP flagbrearer for the 2011 governorship election in the state”.

According to Mr. Young Harry  the 2011 governorship race in the state might be a straight fight between the riverine people of the state and the upland, adding that now that “Dr. Abiye Sekibo had declared his interest in the Governorship position on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the political equation of voting pattern will certainly change”

The historian emphasised that besides riverine and upland dichotomy, the issue of accountability and management of the people’s collective patrimony will influence the voting pattern of the people.

However, Amaechi political family  known as “the Believers” are economically empowered in the various Local Government Areas, thus making any challenge to wrest power from them, an uphill tasks to the opposition groups in the state.

Recently at Okrika, the former Secretary to the State Government and former Minister of Transport,Dr.Abiye Sekibo decamped to join the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) where he is seeking to actualise his ambition of being elected the Governor of Rivers State come 2011.

Dr. Sekibo declared that he left PDP to join, ACN because of what he described as “lack of internal democracy in PDP,” promising to work hard for the development of the state on the platform of the ACN.

Also speaking, one of the leaders of  opposition groups in the state and former Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Lolo Ibieneye said: “We are not opposition group in the state, we are the real authentic members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that worked tirelessly for the victory of the party in 2007 in the state.” He stressed that “we are only demanding for fairness and recognition as the authentic members of our great party (PDP), we are in control of the structures of the party in the 23 local government Areas of the state.”

However, the political situation in the state is set for a fierce titanic political battle, between the forces loyal to the incumbent Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, his political believers’ group, and forces loyal to the trio of former Governors, Sir Peter Odili, Sir Celestine Omehia and Sir Austin Opara for the control of Rivers State government machinery during the   2011 elections.

Interestingly, all the major political gladiators were originally members of one political family right from the 1999 political dispensation, “The Restoration Team.” But as the political axiom always goes, there is no permanent enemy but permanent interests in politics.

The race promised also to be issues oriented as a nascent group, the Rivers State Project (RSP) is equally demanding an end to the politics of exclusion that breaks the state into camps, marginalising and humiliating certain groups, creating disaffection and making true reconciliation difficult after abated conflict.

Annkio Briggs said “it remains the alienable right of Rivers people to decide who will represent them through one man one vote”

Meanwhile, a member of the state executive of the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State who pleaded anonymity said the battle for the governorship of the state is going to be a tough political battle as right now the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government of the PDP is in clear contention.

He declared, in our last Tuesday meeting at the party secretariat we were seriously working to checkmate the spread of CAN in Rivers State, we don’t want to lose our PDP members to the ACN party. We shall ensure that the feeling of our members are addressed for internal democracy in our party.

He stressed further, we have challenges but we shall overcome with internal unity with our PDP. We shall reconciled with our estranged members to go into election comes 2011 with one family and one united party.

The party executive added “that PDP in Rivers State shall soon set up a committee of the party’s elders to reconcile the various aggrieved members of the party.

He said PDP cannot afford to lose Rivers State to the opposition political party.

Also, a party stalwart and chieftain Oyigbo local government said PDP must seriously unite to face the opposition political parties. “He said there must be a total reconciliation for the party to present one common governorship candidate or else the days of PDP are over in Rivers State despite the achievements of Amaechi. 

It is the general perspective of Rivers people that the divine will of God prevail for a God fearing leader to be elected to direct the affairs of the state and the various local councils.

Philip-Wuwu Okparaji