LG Polls: Protest In Rivers Community Over Outcome Of APC Primaries

A protest has erupted in Rundele Town in Emohua local government area of Rivers State over the outcome the councillorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the forthcoming LGA election in the state.

Hundreds of youths from Omofo community in the town, staged a protest yesterday over alleged plot by the APC to deny them the opportunity of producing the next councillor for Rundele Ward 7.

The protesters, who marched  through the streets, accused the immediate past councillor representing the ward, Hon. Emenike Wokama of plans to return for second tenure in the forthcoming LGA election against the over age-long zoning arrangement in the area.

They vowed to resist the return of Wokama for second tenure, insisting that Mgbuelia community has served out their turn, and that it was the turn of Omofo to produce the next councillor of Ward 7 at the council.

Speaking during the protest, chairman, Omofo Youth Federation (OYF), Comrade Kpomasuruchi Dimkpa, stated that the leadership of the APC in Rundele Ward 7, inline with Rundele zoning formula in the clan’s representation at the Emohua Legislative Assembly, had last week nominated Mr. Vincent Wuzor from the community as their councilorship candidate on a consensus arrangement.

Dimkpa expressed regrets that Wuzor was later he dropped last Saturday, and allegedly replaced with the immediate past councilor, Wokama following alleged order from above.

He said, “We are here to protest not as members of any political party, but as youths of Omofo Community. We are protesting against attempt to deny us our right. We are protesting against injustice.

“The people of Rundele are peace loving, and over the years, we have maintained a zoning arrangement in both our traditional rulership and councilorship positions among the five communities in Rundele. In the zoning arrangement Mgbuolua community takes first, followed by Mgbuelia, before Omofo, then Egamini and Agba-Ndele.

“Mgbuelia Community produced the last Councilor in the last administration under Chidi Lloyd in the person of Hon. Emenike Wokama, and they have completed their tenure.

“Now, it is the turn of Omofo Community to produce the next Councilor in the August 30, 2025 LGA elections, but what we are hearing today is that Emenike Wokama has been asked to go back for second tenure.”