The Director General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) State Assembly Forum (ASAF), Ambassador Fubara Dagogo, has officially declared his intention to contest the chairmanship seat of Bonny Local Government Area.
Ambassador Dagogo, who has received numerous calls from stakeholders and members of the 2023 Campaign Council for President Tinubu, made the declaration during a visit to a founding leader of the APC at the Presidential Villa on Thursday.
His declaration follows 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 in all 24 local councils, due to concerns over Okocha’s non-recognition by the court as the authentic chairman of the APC in Rivers State.
Meanwhile, the Emeka Beke-led faction of the party has appealed to the new APC National Chairman and the National Working Committee (NWC) to recognize him as the legitimate chairman of the party in the state.
Beke made the appeal on Thursday during a visit to Professor Nentawe Yilwatda at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja. He announced that the State Working Committee would begin the sale of nomination forms on Friday, affirming the APC’s full participation in the August 30 local government elections.
Declaring his readiness for the race, Fubara emphasized that the APC has become a household name in Rivers State, especially in Bonny Local Government Area. He stated that the party would not be intimidated into surrendering the council to the PDP.
He explained that his decision to run was in response to persistent calls from constituents and other stakeholders to rescue Bonny from political actors who have held the council hostage for years.
“I have consulted widely with APC stakeholders within Rivers State and beyond. My ambition is rooted in a genuine desire to elevate Bonny to its rightful place,” Fubara stated.
He lamented the prolonged lack of infrastructural development in Bonny, stressing that a resource-rich council like Bonny should not remain 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,” he added.
Ambassador Dagogo, it would be recalled, has remained a loyal member of the APC. He has participated in various elections, including contests for the councilorship and chairmanship of Bonny Local Government Area in 2011 and 2014, as well as the Rivers State House of Assembly seat for Bonny Constituency in 2019—all under the platform of the APC.