Ambassador Fubara Dagogo, the Director General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) State Assembly Forum (ASAF), has officially announced his candidacy for the position of Chairman in Bonny Local Government Area, Rivers State.
Dagogo’s declaration came in response to mounting pressure and appeals from political stakeholders, party faithful, and key members of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2023 Campaign Council, urging him to step forward and provide a new direction for governance in the local government. He made his intentions known on Thursday during a courtesy visit to a founding leader of the APC at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
In his remarks, Ambassador Dagogo expressed deep concern over the longstanding developmental neglect in Bonny, particularly given its status as a resource-rich area. He emphasized that the local government had remained stagnant for too long due to the actions of entrenched political interests that have monopolized power without delivering meaningful development.
“I have consulted widely with APC leaders within and outside Rivers State,” he said. “This ambition is not a personal venture, but a collective call to rescue Bonny from political forces who have held the council hostage for years. We must reposition Bonny to assume its rightful place in the political and developmental landscape of Rivers State.”
Dagogo also highlighted the growing popularity of the APC in Rivers State, stating that the party has become a formidable grassroots force, particularly in Bonny LGA.
“The APC is now a household name in Bonny and across Rivers State. We will not succumb to intimidation or political maneuvering aimed at handing over our council to the PDP,” he asserted.
He underscored that his bid is aimed at building upon the party’s achievements and ensuring continuity of progress.
“We have invested heavily in this party. We’ve built trust and credibility at the grassroots. This election is not just about 2025, but about consolidating for a resounding APC victory in 2027, especially in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State APC continues to face internal divisions, with two major factions at odds over party leadership and control ahead of the upcoming local government elections scheduled for August 30.
The faction led by Tony Okocha has reportedly formed an alliance with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to field consensus candidates across the state’s 24 local councils. This move has sparked controversy, especially in light of Okocha’s continued lack of recognition by the courts as the legitimate chairman of the APC in Rivers State.
In contrast, the faction loyal to Emeka Beke has rejected the alliance and insists on full participation in the elections under the APC banner. On Thursday, Beke visited the APC National Secretariat in Abuja, where he met with the new National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, and members of the National Working Committee (NWC), seeking their endorsement of his leadership.
During the visit, Beke announced that the State Working Committee would commence the sale of nomination forms on Friday, reaffirming the group’s commitment to presenting APC candidates across all local governments in the upcoming elections.
As the intra-party struggle continues, Ambassador Dagogo’s entry into the race brings renewed energy and focus to the party’s activities in Bonny, signaling a strong intention to reclaim political control from perceived opposition-aligned actors and restore development-oriented leadership to the people.
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