“Rivers May Soon Be Known as Wike’s State” — Ojudu Criticises APC Governorship Ticket Process

By Reporter

Former presidential aide and senior member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Babafemi Ojudu, has expressed concern over recent political developments in Rivers State, describing them as a setback for internal party democracy.

Ojudu’s remarks came after the emergence of former House of Representatives Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, as the APC governorship candidate for the forthcoming Rivers State election.

The development has generated debate within political circles, particularly because Chinda officially joined the APC only weeks after securing the party’s governorship ticket.

During plenary on Tuesday, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, formally announced Chinda’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.
Reacting in a statement shared on his Facebook page on Wednesday, Ojudu questioned the circumstances surrounding Chinda’s emergence as the party’s candidate.

He argued that political parties are traditionally built on loyalty, commitment, and sustained participation by members who have invested years in strengthening party structures.

Expressing his dissatisfaction with the process, Ojudu stated:
“A Minority Leader of one political party secures the governorship ticket of the ruling party and only afterwards defects to that party.

“Welcome to Rivers State, which may soon be renamed Wike State.”

According to Ojudu, such developments risk undermining confidence in party institutions and discouraging long-serving members who have remained committed to the party through difficult periods.

“Traditionally, political parties are expected to be built on loyalty, shared values, ideological commitments, and long-term participation,” he said.

“There are usually expectations—whether formal or informal—that those seeking a party’s ticket would have contributed to its growth, endured its challenges, respected its processes, and identified with its aspirations over time.”

He further questioned the implications for party faithful who have spent years supporting and defending the APC.

“What are we witnessing when a politician obtains the ticket of a party before even becoming a member of that party?” Ojudu asked.

“What happens to those who have spent years building the party, funding it, organizing for it, defending it, and remaining loyal through difficult times? What becomes of the principles of membership, party discipline, and internal democracy?”

The controversy has intensified discussions about the growing influence of Nyesom Wike in Rivers State politics.
Chinda is widely regarded as a leading figure within the Rainbow Coalition, a political alliance of influential politicians from various parties who have publicly aligned themselves with and expressed support for Bola Tinubu.