Rotimi Amaechi, APC leader in Rivers State.
The deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State has been named.
He is Dr Innocent Barikor, an Ogoni from Gokana Local Government Area who was unanimously adopted at a meeting held at the residence of Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi in Abuja.
Twice the Telegraph called Victor Giadom, a high ranking party official on Monday to confirm the story that the State caucus of which he is part had decided to settle for Barikor.
Prior to that meeting there were speculations that Giadom may again pair with Tonye Cole, the APC candidate.
Sources said he had a right of first refusal just like Cole, with some others inferring he was better placed than any Ogoni to pull Ogonis in the direction of the APC in the absence of Senator Magnus Abe
As at the time of going to press, Giadom neither picked nor returned the calls placed to him by this publication.
A top associate of the former Transportation Minister who was at the meeting however confirmed the selection of Barikor.
The stalwart of the APC in Rivers told the Telegraph which called Monday afternoon to confirm the story making the rounds, “It is true. Innocent Barikor is the gubernatorial running mate.”
Barikor is an academic and a
protégé of Chief Victor Giadom who would have been on the ballot in 2019, but for the court ruling which nullified all the electoral processes which threw up candidates of the party in the oil-rich State in 2018.
Giadom, seen as a grassroots mobilizer within APC circles, is believed to have canvassed strongly for the party which is in opposition in Rivers State to zone the position of the party’s running mate to Ogoni and particularly to Gokana.
From what we have learnt there was no dissenting voice from the Ogoni speaking area during the meeting.
The choice of Barikor is being hailed wthin the Ogoni nation.
Said an excited Ogoni politician who spoke to the Telegraph, “It shows a high level of political brinkmanship on the part of APC leaders.
“Coming after the Peoples Democratic Party chose its governorship candidate in the Rivers South East, the choice of Barikor may act as a counter force in terms of vote catching.
“It may get the Ogonis who are desperate about producing a governor to back the APC on the basis of a futuristic plan, that is if Abe who is vowing to be on the ballot as a governorship material does not make it.”
Informed sources say Barikor is equally close to Senator Abe who may have to back down on his fight with Amaechi, especially now that Bola Tinubu, the APC Presidential flag-bearer is talking seriously with the former Director General of Buhari’s Campaign Organisation.
Meanwhile, Barikor who is equally active when it comes to Ogoni causes is believed to have been invited to Abuja by the leadership to complete necessary formalities.
The Telegraph called Barikor trice, but the buzz on his phone line suggested it was busy.