With just two years to the 2027 general elections, Rivers State has become the stage for a fierce political contest, as fresh local government polls draw near and alignments tilt heavily in favour of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), led by its new chairman, Dr. Michael Odey, has fixed August 30, 2025 for chairmanship and councillorship elections across the 23 LGAs. The decision came after controversies over earlier dates, with critics accusing the commission of flouting the 90-day notice provision and being packed with partisan members.
Factional battles continue to rock both the APC and PDP. On the APC side, Chief Emeka Beke insists he leads the authentic party structure in the state, while Chief Tony Okocha, backed by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, enjoys Abuja’s recognition. Both factions have submitted separate candidate lists to RSIEC.
The PDP is equally fractured. While Chief Aaron Chukwuma represents Wike’s camp, Hon. Robinson Ewor, a Fubara loyalist reinstated by court judgment, claims chairmanship of the party. Tensions deepened after some PDP members were spotted collecting APC nomination forms, with reports alleging that out of the 23 chairmanship slots, 15 went to the APC and eight to the PDP—all largely dominated by Wike’s loyalists.
Meanwhile, suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s camp appears weakened, with many supporters complaining of abandonment. Speculation persists that he may defect to the APC, especially after conditions in a peace accord reportedly required him to align with the ruling party.
Adding to the intrigue, a recent Federal Government Gazette granted sweeping powers to the Rivers Sole Administrator, IBAS Ibok Ete, including control over RSIEC appointments and council structures—moves seen as consolidating Abuja’s hold on the state.
Wike, who in 2023 delivered Rivers to Tinubu against his own party’s candidate, has openly vowed to ensure the President’s re-election. At a campaign rally, APC leaders boasted that they will win all 23 LGAs and 319 wards in the August 30 polls—signaling what may be a dress rehearsal for 2027.
