The gale of resignation of All Progressives Congress members in Rivers state in the month of July, 2022 is taking a new dimension as those politicians who are loyal to the former Minister of Transportation and former Governor of Rivers state, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi are the ones taking the exit point from APC. A quick look at the list of those who have left the party citing unresolved issues include former Commissioner for Information and Communications and former Acting managing Director Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari; former Commissioner for Energy and Natural Resources Dr. Dawari George; former Governorship aspirant, Prince Tonye Princewill; former member Federal House of Representatives, Honourable Elder Chidi Wihioka; former member Rivers state House of Assembly, Honourable Golden Chioma.
What the mass resignations foretold is that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Governorship candidate Siminialaye Fubara is having upper hand in terms of APC being in tatters with the gale of mass resignations in the party. Other political parties in the state are not making serious efforts in gaining right mass appeal except PDP and APC being dominant political parties nationally. One of the factors that will keep PDP at advantage is the fact that APC with Muslim -Muslim Presidential candidate and Running Mate has resulted to most party supporters to differ in their opinions before the 2023 Presidential election.
For the Architect Tonye Cole’s 2023 Governorship candidacy in close survey and the desertion by major stakeholders in the party, there are every indication that the ongoing Court case against him and the former Governor of Rivers state Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi who had said that Rivers state Governor does not have the right to drag him to Court irrespective of the Supreme Court of Nigeria judgment did throw his appeal out asking the former Minister of Transportation to face trial. The outcome of the trial before the 2023 Governorship election may decide on the way voters will respond to the electioneering campaign that will lead to the main general election.