The All Progressives Congress (APC) is facing a deep-seated factional crisis in Rivers State, but it hasn’t stopped Ambassador Fubara Dagogo, the Director General of the APC State Assembly Forum (ASAF), from officially declaring his intention to contest the chairmanship of Bonny Local Government Area.
Ambassador Dagogo, who said his ambition was fueled by persistent calls from stakeholders and members of President Bola Tinubu’s 2023 Campaign Council, made the formal declaration during a visit to a founding leader of the APC at the Presidential Villa on Thursday.
His announcement comes amid reports that the Tony Okocha-led faction of the APC in Rivers State has allegedly aligned with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to present consensus candidates for all 24 local councils. This alleged alliance reportedly stems from a court’s non-recognition of Okocha as the authentic chairman of the APC in the state.
Meanwhile, a rival faction led by Emeka Beke has appealed to the new APC National Chairman and the National Working Committee (NWC) to recognize him as the legitimate party leader in Rivers State. Beke, who made the appeal during a visit to Professor Nentawe Yilwatda at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja on Thursday, announced that his State Working Committee would begin selling nomination forms on Friday, affirming the party’s full participation in the August 30 local government elections.
Declaring his readiness for the race, Ambassador Dagogo emphasized that the APC has become a household name in Rivers State, particularly in Bonny. He stated that the party would not be intimidated into surrendering the council to the PDP.
“My ambition is rooted in a genuine desire to elevate Bonny to its rightful place,” Fubara said, explaining that he was responding to calls from constituents to rescue the council from political actors who have held it hostage for years.
He lamented the prolonged lack of infrastructural development in Bonny, a council he noted is rich in resources yet remains stagnant.
“The APC has come a long way in Bonny and in Rivers State. We cannot allow our efforts to be wasted by compromised stakeholders determined to weaken the party,” he said. “We have paid our dues in this party. We have built solid grassroots support and are confident of victory in this election. Our aim is to consolidate our gains and position the APC for a resounding victory in 2027 for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
Ambassador Dagogo has remained a loyal member of the APC, having participated in various elections on the party’s platform since 2011, including bids for councilorship and chairmanship of Bonny LGA, and a run for the Rivers State House of Assembly in 2019.
