Local Council elections in Rivers State may be billed for March/April 2014, if all things been equal in the spirit of sportsmanship and in keeping with the Rivers State Local Government Laws as amended for 3 years tenure.
The Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni and Degema Local Government Councils respectively would be exempted from the up coming council polls should nothing affects it.
Six (6) months to the said local government polls but the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC is yet to comment on it.
However, the electorate, politicians and aspirants are on the alert in virtually all the due Local Government Areas in the state as to what and who vie for what.
In some Local Government Areas, tension mounts as contestants are beginning to spring forth for both the Councillorship and Chairmanship positions.
In the Port Harcourt City Local Government, indications have emerged that the incumbent Mayor Hon. Chimbiko Iche Akaralo of Elekahia Community is leaving no stone unturned as to pave the way for his return. But there is pandemonium that there are no evidence on ground to show for his past three years, save for his official residence on William Jumbo street and legislative Assembly on the council premises.
In Obio/Akpor Local Government, feelers have reveal that the Caretaker Committee (CTC) Chairman, Chikodi Dike is already warming up to run for a substantive 3 years in office as he prepares to vie for the upcoming polls.
But, irrespective of the backing of the State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and his Chief of Staff, Tony Okocha in the area, feelers had it that the up coming election might not be a smooth sail for Dike as he may think.
While Akaralo may be vying to completing a two term for the Elekahia community, Chikodi Dike is of another divide with the suspended chairman Prince Timothy Nsirim, a reason some indigenes of Obio/Akpor believe may not be favourable for Dike.
In the Governor’s home Local Government, Ikwerre, the story is also the same as Welendi Amadi is said to be seriously preparing to return using Governor Amaechi’s political arsenal to sail.
Indications have also emerged that there may be stiff opposition to ensure Hon. Welendi Amadi did not return.
A knowledgeable source within the Ikwerre Local Government has said that in the up coming election, there will be no hand picking of any aspirant in the area since according to them the Governor was found of dictating and handpicking his chairmen.
The source which also condemned the Governor’s alleged attitude of undermining his Deputy even in his LGA Andoni would not be allowed to further his dictatorial influence on Ikwerre people.
However, one Elechi Goodhead Amadi amongst others is warming up for the contest with formidable crowd.
The task is heavy for certain incumbent chairmen who may hope of returning but will the tide ebbs or flows in their directions, as Rivers polity still boil?
For the Andoni Local Government Council, the task is not different as the incumbent chairman Sir, Orom Nte Ereforokuma is said to be seriously in touch with certain stakeholders in preparations for his perceived second tenure.
The tide in his direction would be a turbulent one judging from the public outcry of party stalwarts and electorate who are still hungry and are not ready to starve anymore should he emerges again.
Another issue affecting his supposed return may not be unconnected with the end of his community chances which according to information the people have aided the party or enemies to forcefully removed the elected Apostle Felix Fyneface Ayayi from office on 3rd June, 2009.
Apostle Ayayi was only about twelve (12) months in office when the ugly hands of the people caught him for his deputy Madam Emilia Gilbert Nte of Unyeada extraction to take over.
Emilia Gilbert had run the council for barely two (2) years when her cup got filled up for another Ngo man, Kingston Syvanus to complete the tenure.
It was no surprise that Andoni Local Government Council got three (3) chairmen in three (3) years tenure, following the undemocratic, greedy and unethical removal and disgrace of the elected former chairman, Apostle Ayayi.
But, thank God, Apostle Felix Fyneface Ayayi has regain his freedom politically, socially and otherwise, ready to champion the course of his party, the PDP in the area once again.
Information reaching The Newswriter reveals that in Andoni Local Government, the Unyeada people are agitating for the slot of Chairmanship, positing that they are due for it. Even as the numerous political parties in the area are yet to zone their political offices, it is gathered that the Special Assistant to the governor on Primary education and one time member Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Sam Sam Etetegwung is eyeing the Chairmanship position if eventually it is allotted to the Unyeada by the PDP.
It is also gathered that the former Chairman, Emilia Gilbert Nte is equally skimming to vie for the number one seat of the LGA.
Though not confirmed, it is further revealed that the incumbent Vice-Chairman of council; Hon. Sampson Gilbert Egop is battle ready to step into the shoes of his master if otherwise ratified by his party, PDP.
There are other Unyeada indigenes who are contemplating going into the race should it be their turn.
According to an Unyeada source, the Ngo turn would be over as the incumbent bows out in March/April next year and contemplate the opportunity as theirs.
Information gathered so far revealed that, should PDP retained the chairmanship position in Ngo town, the incumbent Chairman may loss his chances of returning as we gathered from an inside source in the State PDP that the former Chairman, Apostle Ayayi may be tipped to do the job once again.
Another source which equally substantiate the information says should Apostle Ayayi be tipped to man the Andoni seat of power, then victory is already sure as he is development oriented and have the people at heart judging from his few months in office.
The Newswriter political desk is on the exercise to ascertain the facts in all the LGAs in Rivers State.
Meanwhile, it is gathered on knowledgeable source within the Rivers State Brick House that Gov. Amaechi may likely flawed and go against the laws by using caretaker appointees in the LGAs to end his remaining year in office if he succeeds in the ongoing judicial battles against him and the party, PDP and other contenders. ###
