The Apex group in a communique issued at the end of their meeting held on August 19 and signed by the Chief Medical Director of the Rivers State Hospital Management Board Doctor Bright Ogbonda, a former member the Rivers State House of Assembly, Jones Ogbonda, 2 former members of the Rivers State Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Agency and current members of the Port Harcourt City Local Government interim management committee, Kinikanwo Amadi and Ogbams Ojimah and a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party of PHALGA, Ikechi Chinda, maintained that this is not the time to introduce or advance new structural political changes or agitations.
The communique highlighted that Port Harcourt City Local Government is divided into two federal constituencies, each with ten wards, and affirmed their support for the existing convention since 1999.
This convention, they noted, has facilitated the rotation of power between the two constituencies, helping to maintain unity despite various ethnic and religious differences.
The communique also provided a historical record of the mayoral positions, listing past mayors from both constituencies, including Nnamdi Wokekoro of federal constituency 1 in 1999, late Chief Azubuike Nmerukini of federal constituency 2 in 2003, Chimbiko Akarolo of federal constituency 1 in 2011, Victor Ihunwo of federal constituency 2 and Allwell Ihunda of federal constituency 1 in 2021, and emphasized that by the principles of natural justice, equity, and fair play, the next mayor should come from Federal Constituency 2.
They underscored that this rotation has been the political norm for Port Harcourt since 1999 and is integral to ensuring fairness in the upcoming elections.
