All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State has announced plans to retire former governors Rotimi Amaechi and Celestine Omehia from active politics after the 2027 general elections.
Gatekeepers News reports that the declaration was made by Obinna Ekem, the Director-General of the Ikwerre APC Campaign Organisation, during a rally in Omagwa community on Sunday, which marked the conclusion of their campaign for the upcoming local government election scheduled for August 30. Ekem expressed optimism about the APC’s chances in the local elections, indicating strong support from residents across all 13 wards in the area.
Looking ahead to future elections, Ekem assured party members of a significant victory for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections, despite the presence of opposition from Amaechi and Omehia, who are affiliated with a coalition that opposes the APC. He emphasized that the party remains firmly entrenched in Ikwerre, contrasting its current strength with past struggles during Amaechi’s leadership, which he attributed to ineffective governance.
Additionally, Ekem called upon President Bola Tinubu to focus his political efforts on national competitors like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Senate President David Mark, while assuring local supporters that the APC would effectively manage the challenges posed by Amaechi and Omehia.
Tony Okocha, the Rivers State APC Chairman, backed by the party’s national leadership, urged residents of the Ikwerre LGA to ensure no single party dominates the upcoming local government election. Okocha highlighted that this election is expected to be more credible than the previous one held in October 2024, which was conducted under the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and subsequently invalidated by the Supreme Court.
