The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers state has chosen a member of the House of Representatives, Dakuku Peterside, to fly the party’s flag at the February 2015 governorship election in the state.

Mr. Peterside emerged the preferred candidate after a meeting of the party’s caucus, which was held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday.

Mr. Peterside is the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum (Downstream).

His colleague at the Senate, Magnus Abe, who is incidentally the Chairman Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) and from the same state, was widely expected to be the party’s candidate in the February election.

Sources said Mr. Abe was present at Wednesday’s meeting where Mr. Peterside was endorsed.

The spokesperson of the party in the state, Chukwuemeka Eze, confirmed the development to PREMIUM TIMES.

“Yes Hon. Dakuku Peterside was unanimously endorsed in a peaceful atmosphere. It was done in a family affair and there was no bickering at all,” Mr. Eze said.

He also said by the decision of the caucus, the forthcoming party primary in Rivers State is expected to merely confirm the selection of Mr. Peterside as a formality.

Also, the Rivers APC Chairman, Davies Ikanya, who addressed the press after the meeting at the party’s secretariat in Port Harcourt, said the decision of the caucus is not final as primary election will still have to be held to ratify the decision.

“There must be primary elections for all positions in the APC. So, we will not jump the gun,” he said.