Politics
Re-Instatment Of Council Chairmen: Matters Arising
Political activities in the 11 local government areas, of Rivers State, whose chairmen were suspended from office by the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, had within the past few weeks been riddled with intrigues, suspense and a climax that had further heated the polity.
The affected LGAs, are still wearing an ominous political cloud. There are also indications that most of the returning helmsmen are still pondering, and may not just gloss over the perceived excesses of their deputies during their brief suspension from office.
Angered by the daring effrontery of some of the vice chairmen, who in a jifty dislogded the political structures on ground before the political pitfall, most of the re-instated chairmen are tightening their political knots.
The political scene in most of the affected LGAs is also suggestive of visible pall of apprehension, among the power players. Bearing the brunt of perceived insorbordination, most of the re-instated chairmen, seem more cautious in the review of their relationships with their deputies.
The Chairman of Ahoada East Local Government, Casidy Ikegbidi, was the first among his re-instated colleagues to yield to the anticipated reactions and predictions of pundits.
On resumption of office, boss sacked all political appointees engaged by his Vice, Britain Ewoh, while serving as Acting Chairman. He also revoked all contracts awarded by the acting chairman.
The AHELGA boss did not attach the sacking of the engaged political appointees and revocation of contracts to any specific excuse. He only “urged the workers and political office holders to brace up for the new era of leadership”, and assured that he would work with them to develop the area.
The Ahoada East chairman’s action, shortly on resumption of office is startling of what is heard in some of the affected LGAs. The Political rumour mill is already awash with tales of impending poltical ‘lockhorn’ between the key players.
As put by a Port Harcourt-based analyst, Dr. Steve Wodu “the action of the Chairman of Ahoada East LGA, should be no surprise to anyone, it should be expected in most of the other affected LGAs; it shows that vested interest is the hub of Nigerian politics, and it undermines the will of the people as expressed at the polls”.
He cautioned that the growing disagreement between most council chairmen and their deputies was a “plausible, tactical political flaw” which could lead to “lack of development focus and a protracted political tussle if not properly addressed.
Corroborating Mr. Wodu’s view, another political analyst, Comrade Lekia Christian said , “a replay of the Ahoada East chairman’s action should not be entirely ruled out in the other 10 affected LGAs, as most of the council chairmen who have lost faith in the loyalty of their Vice may stop at nothing to smoothen their political ride”.
He said the suspended chairmen considered the actions of the deputies during their brief romance with full executive powers as betrayal, as some of their actions were to forestall their political backlash of losing the popularity and political control to the deputies.
Investigation also revealed that the sudden elevation of the Vice Chairmen of affected LGAs, as Acting Chairmen, compounded the brewing crisis of mutual distrust between them and their chairmen with political sentiments piling up in most of the councils, political analysts forsee a crisis of impeachment looming ahead in the councils.
In Ahoada East LGA, which is glaringly in the political spotlight, the councillors are said to be divided as those loyal to the chairman and his vice repeatedly are already pitted against themselves.
A top council source, revealed that the development at it stands, ‘may cause a disruption in the smooth running of the affairs of the council”.
The source, however, expressed hope that the council will get over its present challenges soon.
A Port Harcourt based Legal practitioner, Barrister, Kio George, described the suspension of the 11 council chairmen and swearing in of their deputies by the Governor, as a “prelude to a battered relationship between the duo”.
According to Kio, “the manner of operations and governance at the LG level had always placed vice chairmen on a passive level of participation, and as such the opportunity to test full scale executive power was provided within the period of suspension”. He added that the development had drawn a battleline between most chairmen and their deputies. He however called on the Rivers State House of Assembly to ensure that activities in the affected LGAs, do not drift into full scale political crisis.
Ironically, while the acting chairmen were already consolidating their sudden elevation and romance with full executive powers, they were also interceptws by a sudden reversal of the order to status qo by the Governor.
However, not all the vice chairmen seem to have betrayed such passionate obsession to succeeding their bosses.
In Port Harcourt City Local Government, it was obvious that for unfathomable reasons, the vice chairman, reluctantly assumed power, as she was sworn in about a week after her colleagues has assumed duties and revelling in the ‘new found power’, perhaps, ignoring the prying eyes of political agents and gold diggers.
It could be recalled that during the period of suspension of the bosses, the acting chairmen of Akuku Toru, Asari Toru, Ahoada West and some others, had existing bodies and political structures in their various councils.
But the former acting chairman and Vice Chairman of Akuku Toru LGA, Stanley Benibo said his decisions were a continuation of his boss’s agenda, which was based on wide consultation with the people. Benibo added that his decision had no personal under- current.
The debates generated by the suspension and eventual re-instatement of 11 council chairmen, in Rivers State have also opened new vistas, in the realm of local government administration, especially in role playing, among the key players in the councils.
This had led to the inclusion of new clauses in the Rivers State Local Government Amendment Bill recently passed to law by the Rivers State House of Assembly. According to the House Leader, Hon. Chidi Lloyd while contributing to the bill before its passage, “the new clause is to stretch the specificity of role to avoid its tendencies of usurpation”. Another critical area of concern raised by analysts, is over the constitutional requirements and procedure to sack a local government chairman. If anything, the unfolding political activities in the affected LGAs have sent a signal to others over the necessary vigilance expected of chairmen in response to Governance and other constitutional duties.
Taneh Beemene
In a statement issued on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Obiora Ifoh, the party said it had taken note of Mr Obi’s defection alongside some of his supporters, as well as what it called a “lacklustre speech” delivered by the former Anambra State governor at the defection event.
“We wondered what new he intends to sell to Nigerians,” the party said, adding that it was not surprised by the move, having “since September 2024, parted ways with Peter Obi and some of his blind supporters in the National Assembly.”
According to the statement, the faction said it had patiently awaited Mr Obi’s exit, describing it as a blessing.
“The party is finally liberated by this defection and as party leaders, we count it as a blessing,” the party said.
The faction further disclosed that it had previously urged Mr Obi and his supporters to leave if they were unable to work with the party leadership.
It claimed that several lawmakers had been suspended for anti-party activities and that similar action would have been taken against Mr Obi but for the intervention of “some well-meaning Nigerians.”
It also blamed its internal crisis on Mr Obi and Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, accusing them of sponsoring what it described as an insurrection against the Julius Abure-led leadership.
“The crisis we had in the Labour Party was caused by Peter Obi and the Abia State governor, Alex Otti,” the statement alleged, adding that it was surprising Dr Otti had not followed Mr Obi out of the party despite his suspension.
Reacting to Mr Obi’s defection event in Enugu, the faction claimed the gathering was largely boycotted by prominent political and traditional institutions in the South East, insisting that those present were “political spent forces who cannot win in their wards should there be an election today.”
It warned that this development signalled the failure of any future Mr Obi presidential or vice-presidential ambition, claiming he had “clearly lost the charm that had endeared him to the people prior to 2023.”
The faction also accused Mr Obi of misleading the South East during the 2023 elections, alleging that the region suffers political marginalisation under President Bola Tinubu’s administration as a result.
“He must be told that the South East lost out completely in President Ahmed Tinubu’s government because they trusted and believed in him in 2023,” the statement said, alleging disparities in ministerial appointments and infrastructure allocation to the zone.
The Abure-Led LP apologised to Nigerians for its decision in the last election.
“We gave Nigerians a candidate we thought was good for the nation in 2023, but time has since proved that we made the greatest political mistake. We plead for forgiveness from Nigerians,” the party said.
It urged Nigerians to watch out for a rebranded Labour Party, promising to present “the best prospect” capable of returning Nigeria to what it described as its “glorious days.”
steadily toward unity, justice, and shared prosperity”, he said.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday at his country home in Ikere-Ekiti, Dr Oluyede said the development came as a shock, stressing that INEC supervised and monitored the PDP governorship primary that produced him as the party’s candidate.
According to him, INEC officials documented the process, completed all required forms, and even affirmed his candidacy in court through sworn affidavits arising from cases linked to the primary election.
He maintained that no court order or injunction currently restrains INEC from listing his name as the PDP candidate, arguing that the electoral body lacks the constitutional power to determine who emerges as a party’s nominee.
Dr Oluyede described such decisions as the exclusive responsibility of political parties, not the electoral umpire.
While playing down panic over the released list, Dr Oluyede noted that electoral processes often involve reviews and corrections.
He disclosed that he had commenced wide consultations, including engagements with PDP leadership and formal correspondence with INEC, to seek clarification on the omission and determine the next line of action.
The PDP candidate assured his supporters across Ekiti State that he would appear on the ballot, expressing confidence that the situation would be resolved in his favour.
He described attempts to exclude candidates from elections as dangerous and undemocratic, warning that such tactics undermine the people’s right to freely choose their leaders.
Dr Oluyede called on the people of Ekiti to reject any form of disenfranchisement, insisting that elections should be contests of ideas, records, and acceptance by the electorate rather than exclusionary maneuvers.
He also declared that the PDP in Ekiti had resolved its past internal crises and was now united, focused, and ready to win the forthcoming governorship election.
He urged party members and supporters to remain calm and focused, expressing optimism that, with divine grace and the will of the people, the PDP would emerge victorious at the polls.
Mr Obi spoke while formally declaring for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) at a well-attended event in Enugu on Wednesday, where he outlined what he described as a fresh roadmap for rescuing the country from its socio-economic challenges.
Addressing party members, supporters and other stakeholders, the former governor stressed that leadership must be driven by integrity and accountability, warning against the culture of double standards in public office.
“We cannot continue to deceive our people. Leadership is about telling the truth and leading by example. You cannot promise one thing in public and do another in private. That is not leadership, and that is not the change Nigeria needs”, Mr Obi said.
He maintained that genuine national rebirth would only be possible if entrenched wrongs were corrected, adding that governance must be guided by competence, discipline and a clear sense of purpose.
Mr Obi also underscored the need for fresh thinking in the nation’s political space, urging political actors to move away from recycled ideas that have failed to deliver sustainable development.
“We must come with new ideas,” he said, adding that “Nigeria’s problems are not mysterious; what has been lacking is the courage and competence to address them differently. We need a new approach that puts people first and focuses on production, not consumption.”
Calling for a broad based political collaboration, Mr Obi appealed to parties and stakeholders across ideological divides to work together in the national interest.
“This country is bigger than any party or individual. All parties must come together to change the present trend. What matters is not the platform, but the future of Nigeria and the wellbeing of its citizens”, he declared.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, Mr Obi challenged aspirants seeking elective offices to ensure transparency in their credentials, warning that the era of falsified certificates was drawing to a close.
“Anyone contesting for any position in 2027 must come with genuine certificates. All the machinery is now in place to verify what is genuine and what is not. Integrity must start from the very foundation of leadership”, he stated.
Drawing lessons from international development models, Mr Obi cited Rwanda and Indonesia as examples of countries that rose from difficult beginnings to become thriving economies through disciplined leadership and sound policies.
“These countries were once behind us,” he noted, adding that “Today, they are moving ahead because they chose competent leadership, clear vision and policies that support local production and human capital development.”
He also criticised the economic policies of the present administration, particularly the continued importation of food items that can be produced locally, describing such practices as inimical to national development.
“You cannot grow an economy by killing local production. Importing food that we can produce in Nigeria destroys jobs, weakens our farmers and drains our foreign exchange. A serious country must produce what it consumes”, he argued.
The event featured renewed calls from ADC supporters for sustained engagement and mobilisation, as Mr Obi reiterated his belief that Nigeria remains redeemable if led with honesty, competence and a commitment to shared national progress.
In his remarks, the National Chairman of the ADC, Senator David Mark, expressed confidence in the emerging coalition, assuring Nigerians that the party would deliver good governance at all levels of administration if entrusted with power.
The gathering also witnessed the defection of several prominent politicians from different political parties across the South-East and beyond.
The motion endorsing the defection was moved by a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, and seconded by former economic adviser to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof. Osita Ogbu.
Goodwill messages from notable political figures, including Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Mrs. Aisha Yesufu, Chief Sam Egwu, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, Chief Achike Udenwa, Mr Onyema Ugochukwu and Senator Gilbert Nnaji among others, further underscored the growing momentum within the ADC.
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