Chief Asukewe Ikoawaji, former Deputy National Chairman (South) of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), has criticised the current administration in Rivers State, describing it as “kindergarten,” and warned that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) risks losing the 2027 general elections if it fails to deliver on its promises.
Ikoawaji, an elder statesman and member of the Rivers State Elders Council, also condemned the APC national leadership for what he termed a “studied silence” over the recent impeachment moves against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, whom he noted is a member of the ruling party.
Speaking exclusively to Dip Connect Online News on Thursday night via telephone, Ikoawaji said Nigeria’s political challenges, including the crisis in Rivers State, are rooted in a failure of leadership. He argued that the wave of defections by governors and top politicians into the APC mirrors the mistakes that led to the PDP’s defeat in 2015.
“The APC has failed Nigerians in the same way the PDP failed before the 2015 elections. Then, PDP started wooing governors from other parties because it had lost the confidence of the people. That is exactly what is happening now,” he said.
Ikoawaji also faulted Governor Fubara for exhibiting what he described as signs of weakness. He insisted that Rivers people would not vote for a “kindergarten governor” in 2027, while also criticising Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for his involvement in local political activities.
“All these things are part of the FCT minister’s game. But the truth is simple: if you are a governor, you should behave like one. You are answerable to the people who elected you,” he said.
He further questioned the APC national leadership for remaining silent while impeachment proceedings against its own governor were initiated. “The governor is in the APC. The majority of local government chairmen and state lawmakers are in the APC. At the national level, APC controls the Federal Government. So what is the national secretariat doing?” he asked.
Recalling his tenure as ANPP Deputy National Chairman, Ikoawaji said many current party leaders do not fully understand party constitutions. He described as “kindergarten politics” Wike’s visits to Rivers local government areas alongside APC leaders, noting the absence of official APC insignia during these campaigns.
“That tells you these are kindergarten politicians. The FCT minister is not an APC member. Yet, he goes on grassroots campaigns, and APC leaders follow him without party flags. The leadership is watching,” he added.
Ikoawaji also criticised the Federal Government’s focus on long-term economic gains, arguing that ordinary Nigerians are struggling with immediate challenges, such as electricity shortages.
“A hungry man cannot wait three years for the economy to stabilise. Even the Presidential Villa does not rely on public power supply. If the President is not using public electricity, how can we expect ordinary Nigerians to enjoy it?” he said.
Concluding, the elder statesman asserted that Rivers voters would reject what he described as poor leadership choices in the next general election.
“Mark my words: in 2027, Rivers State will not support a kindergarten governor,” he warned.
Dip Connect Online News reports that Ikoawaji’s comments add to growing political tensions in Rivers State, as the APC faces criticism over internal party divisions and governance performance.
Elijah Adeyemi
