BY BOLAJI AFOLABI
In the month of May, Nigerians witnessed increased political activities as all registered parties were in a frenzied mode to meet the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) for next year’s general elections. Parties, members and supporters were all involved, at different levels in the quest to stay relevant post-2027. Though party primaries were to be conducted for all elective positions and offices, that of Governorship was more competitive. With over 20 states chief executives seats due for elections in February 2027, the contests towards emerging respective parties candidates were charged. Scheming, intrigues, propaganda, and brinkmanship became regular currencies. At different stages of the process – consultations, screenings, and primaries – politicians had long, tortuous nights, days of meetings and sessions to out-do and out-wit their opponents. The scenarios played out across and around the country, as, sadly, governance took the backstage.
Being the party in government, the All Progressives Congress, (APC) witnessed fierce and feisty primaries; particularly for Governorship. This was expected. Many politicians migrated to the party to enhance their electoral fortunes. However, it must be reiterated that given the peculiarities and circumstances in their states, a few others had to defect to the APC. The governorship primaries were smooth in a few states like Lagos, Borno, Enugu, Ogun, and Niger. It was muddy, dirty, and cobwebry in Bauchi, Kwara, Nassarawa, and Yobe – the last two states witnessed the entries of retired Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu, and Usman Baba; an emerging trend where former military, paramilitary, and law enforcement top-guns aspire for political positions. The deluge of intrigues in some other states dragged on till the end of the primaries. 
Rivers was one of those states that generated the interests of not just party members but also many people. The political velocity was further increased by the preponderance of media blitz around the primaries and any matter about the state. On a regular basis, social media was replete with stories, largely unconfirmed about the primaries. It appeared as though the handlers of these platforms were engaged in unethical competition to defeat one another in the consistent release of salacious and beer parlour tales. Sadly, many unsuspecting and gullible readers fell for their antics as they took hook, line, and sinker these reports. In many ways, the spate of fictional scenes painted as news and happenings added to the anxiety and apprehensions of party members and the generality of people about the true situation regarding the APC governorship primaries.
Weeks and days to the primaries, there were layers of uncertainty, driven by gossip and hearsay across the state. Interestingly, just as the rumour mills thrived, top players in the political chess-game knew exactly the target. They stayed focussed, with eyes on the ball and avoided distractions. On the eve of the primaries, a few hours actually, the entire tensed atmosphere evaporated and simmered down. Like lightning, ‘tory change’ using a popular street phrase. In quick succession, one after the other three aspirants announced their withdrawal from the primaries – sighting peace, unity, and the interest of Rivers. Arc. Tonye Cole; Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the incumbent Governor; and Dr. Dakorisiye George-Kelly also pledged to support the party’s candidate. So, after the state-wide affirmation process held in all the 319 Wards of the 23 LGAs in Rivers, Rep. Ogundu Kingsley Chinda emerged the unopposed governorship candidate with a total votes haul of 268,497 as declared by the Returning Officer, Rt. Hon. Laori Bitrus Kwamoti.
According to reports, Chinda’s victory elicited spontaneous celebrations. Sir Felix Obuah, an APC chieftain and Senatorial candidate declared that, “our party has presented the best candidate for the governorship election.” For Chief Maxwell Green, an entrepreneur and politician, “APC now has a formidable chance of winning the Rivers State Governorship elections.” A communications consultant, Mr. Alphonsus Opara projected that, “Rivers is most likely to be won, for the first time since 1999 by a different party other than the PDP. Chinda is an experienced, dependable and reliable administrator.” A chieftain of one of the new parties who pleaded anonymity declared that, “without any pretence, his choice is a technical knockout to other governorship candidates…it will be almost impossible to defeat him.” Comrade Alali Thompson, a youth activist described Chinda as, “fit and proper for the position considering all he has contributed to the development of the state, and the people.”
A careful analysis of Chinda’s political odysseys and public service credentials, largely confirms this optimism and confidence. His near-three decades career spanning the private sector, the executive and legislative arms of government gives a massive boost to his aspirations. Also, it will impact positively on the wheels of governance in the state; as his broad experiences will be useful. Having served Rivers in the past as Commissioner for the Environment, Chinda, if he emerged Governor by February 2027 will not be a chief executive that will be learning the ropes. Rather, he will be expected to hit the ground running from the beginning. His long years of interfacing with the bureaucracy at the state and federal levels should smoothen the pace of governance. By May 2027, he would have grossed 16 years as a ranking and resourceful lawmaker; which will be a big plus for executive and legislative collaboration and relationships in Rivers. Over the years, even as a legislator whose core responsibilities are lawmaking and oversights, Chinda has embarked on programmes and initiatives – that falls under the purview of the executive – focussed on the general well-being of the people.
Through projects spanning different sectors, Chinda has consistently contributed to the personal development of his constituents and Rivers; in some ways. Realizing that education is the bedrock of development, he has numerous programmes across the Obio-Akpor federal constituency including construction of blocks of classrooms; distribution of desks and other learning materials; sponsorship of about 200 teachers for the University of Buckingham (UoB) International Diploma in Education; Adult Education scheme; training of science teachers on the use of AI and Robotics for capacity development; and many others. Given the effects of environmental degradation on the movement of goods and services, as well as vehicular traffic, he has completed over 20 roads in the constituency, as some others are at various stages of completion. Conscious of the strategic importance of power to economic activities and human development, he, regularly provides and installs transformers – of varied capacities – to many communities in the constituency. Solar street lights are also installed to help the safety of people within and around their neighborhoods.
Mindful of the prevailing health challenges vis-a-vis the inadequate health infrastructures in his constituency, Chinda has been involved in the construction, rehabilitation, and upgrade of some primary healthcare centres. Many people; from his constituency and beyond have benefitted from regular medical outreaches, which covers eye treatment, minor surgeries, management of medical issues, and general observations. Conscious of the importance of the informal and semi-formal sectors in driving meaningful development in the grassroots, numerous capacity building initiatives are regularly organized for women and youths. This includes training in agriculture, poultry, fishing; hair dressing, interior decorations, make-up, beads making; welding and other artisanal services; as well as maritime services. Mrs. Amarachi Ifeanyi, a Woman Leader and trader averred that, “people who are not even from Obio-Akpor have benefitted from these programmes. According to what we heard, Chinda believes everyone should be considered anytime he is doing something that will improve the lives of people.” Corroborating, Alhaji Isiaka Abdulganiyu, a transporter said, “some of the non-indigenes have given different empowerment tools to help their trades. A few of our drivers were given vehicles, and the man does not discriminate against us in any of his programmes.”
Indeed, the Governorship elections which will be held in about nine months, promises to bring some interesting scenarios. From the words on the streets of Rivers, and across Wards, communities, and LGAs, the chances of Chinda becoming the fifth Governor – of the “Treasurer Base” State – in the 4th Republic are promising. Preliminary finding reveals that his public ratings, and that of the APC keeps increasing since he emerged as the party’s candidate. The confidence of the people on him is high, just as their expectations. No doubt, this itself, is a challenge – which many people believe Chinda knows, and is capable of meeting. As a chronicler of events, the writer’s focus will be on Rivers as events unfold between now and February 2027.
* BOLAJI AFOLABI, a Development Communications specialist was with the Office of Public Affairs, The Presidency, Abuja.
