… Angry party men, women, may drift away from the APC
Amaechi, Cole, rebirth of the 2018 alignment.
It is now clear that the APC in Rivers State, or what some see as the wing of the party controlled by the Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, now has an official candidate.
He is Tonye Patrick Dele Cole, an architect whose run in 2018 was interrupted by a court action instituted by Senator Magnus Abe.
Incidentally, all aspirants present at the meeting are those who share close ties with the Amaechi camp.
It is doubtful that Senator Abe received an invitation to meet with the committee.
“Even if he did get an invitation”, said an analyst in Port Harcourt, “he would have attended a meeting akin to that of a meeting between hens and roaches. There is no way roaches can obtain justice from hens.”
Abe who heads Freedom House, a group that has remained stiffly opposed to Amaechi recently declared that he is equally in the race.
There has been no reaction from Abe’s camp, but a source told this publication that it may not be long in coming.
Abe, Amaechi… Political hostility still continues.
Mixed reactions have so far greeted the decision which was taken late last night after aspirants met members of a select committee put together to screen them.
While some close Amaechi supporters are in a jubilant mood, there are angry reactions coming from the camps of popular aspirants whose hopes and aspirations have been dashed.
Meanwhile, the Telegraph has learnt that Cole’s Deputy will likely come from the Ogoni axis, given the fact that the choice made by the APC in respect of the governorship has not favored the area.
Reports also reaching our news desk say that all aspirants who were to run in 2018 for the State and National Assembly elections in 2019 that are still loyal to the Amaechi camp are to be returned.
As things anger among members of the party might result in a mass exodus of people who have been sympathetic towards the APC.
Our sources say most members planning to leave the APC may have to wait to see what happens to Amaechi’s presidential bid.
However, those nursing serious ambition may not tarry for too long. Sources are already hinting Dakuku Peterside might be thinking of a move to the SDP.
Dakuku Peterside… What next?
Close associates of the Opobo-born politician are denying such a possibility, saying the issue has not been discussed.
An insider who gave the hint that Dakuku would leave the APC said, “It would be nice to see what happens next. Amaechi and Dakuku have obviously come to the end of the road.”