As the long awaited governorship primaries of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party draws nearer, there have several permutations on what the likely chances may be for the contenders. While there isn’t much going on in terms of campaigns by the aspirants except in a few cases by those who are merely considered as pretenders, there are reports that nocturnal meetings are being held by supporters of the aspirants. Since the final whistle was blown by the governor urging some members of his kitchen cabinet to go ahead and pick the forms for the race, there has been an intensified but subtle campaign by the aspirants including Abiye Sekibo, Austin Opara, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as well as the Deputy Governor, Sir Gabriel Toby. Others who had earlier flagged off their campaigns while also setting up campaign offices include Paworiso Samuel Horsfall, David Briggs, Levy Braide, Charles Dokubo and a few others who may only be in the race for pecuniary reasons.

Meanwhile, there are pointers that the man to watch is Amaechi, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly and Chairman, Conference of Speakers Forum. He is seen by the other major contenders as such there is a gang-up against him by the duo of Sekibo and Opara. But the entrance of both men into the race is seen by their supporters as ploy by the powers that be to divide their camp in favor of Amaechi. Others think that the real battle lies with both men who see Amaechi as a common enemy. But their alliance seem to have hit the rocks as they now have to battle for the votes of their supporters who before now were believed to be working for Opara. The Beam checks revealed that the State Chairman of the PDP, Uche Secondus who is leaving no stones unturned to ensure that Amaechi does not clinch the ticket is said to have moved his support from Opara to Sekibo. This position has further heightened fears in the camp of the Deputy Speaker, Austin Opara who is alleged to boast of the support of the President. It was also rumored that President Obasanjo would on his last visit to Rivers State endorse Opara for the job, but that was not to be as Obasanjo only concentrated in his business of project commissioning. This may have sent them back to the drawing board as a meeting comprising his supporters was quickly held at Landmark hotels purportedly owned by Hon. Olaka Nwogu, one of Opara’s pointsmen.

Meanwhile, there are growing fears within the camp of Sekibo and Opara over the fate of the two men as it is not likely that either of them would step down for the other. The supporters of Opara say it is likely that Sekibo would eventually throw in the towel since he may not possibly scale the screening process due to what they allege bother on security reports against him. It is believed in most quarters that he is largely behind the activities of the dreaded cult groups led by Ateke Tom. This may have informed the reason behind his name being mentioned by the state Director of the State Security Services (SSS) as one of the sponsors of cultism in the state. The protracted crisis in Okrika his community, the Opara group also allege may be one of his greatest undoing as they say he is not likely to get the support of his people. A source close to the group who hails from Okrika who spoke to us under grounds of anonymity was quick to say that almost all the governorship aspirants are involved in sponsoring cultists, as such that should not be used against only one man. In his words, “Who amongst them is not involved in the crime except for one or two of them? Who is the sponsor of Elegam Face? The authorities know these and they are just pretending not to know those behind the masks”, he said.    

Another point raised by the group is the issue of Sekibo’s sacki from the Federal Executive Council as Minister for Transport over alleged bribery of a Chinese company, diversion of the Railway contract and over payment of mobilization fee contrary to the approval of the President. They also allege that he has questions to answer from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. On the other hand, the supporters of Sekibo say there is no concrete evidence against the former Minister rather those who accuse him of sponsoring cultists are merely chasing shadows. They saw the support which Opara seems to be getting from the Party Chairman and a few others stem from Sekibo’s relationship with the Chairman. This group argues that Opara was only used to divide Amaechi’s votes within the Ikwerre axis and to garner the support of those who are opposed to Am aechi’s candidature but were not willing to pledge their support for Sekibo. According to Sekibo’s supporters, their man is not willing to step down for Opara whom they consider as a new comer in the Odili core family. A source who belongs to the group also accused Opara of being more of a traitor who could not be trusted in future having betrayed his close friend, Amaechi who was said to have been instrumental in convincing the governor to make Opara the Deputy Speaker after the inglorious exit of Chibudom Nwuche, the former Deputy Speaker. Though the duo of Opara and Sekibo have managed their fragile relationship to some extent, it is not certain who would blink first and step down for the other. This may be the hardest nut to crack as the battle continues.