Nigeria, Aug. 14 -- The Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, has made further steps to consolidate his control of the political structure in Rivers State, with the flag off of campaigns for local elections in the state.

The election is scheduled for 30 August.

At the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign launch held in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, the minister's loyalists, including the chairperson of the party in the state, Aeron Chukwuemeke, and the suspended Speaker of the Rivers House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, lavished praises on Mr Wike, a former governor of the state.

"Let me use this opportunity to thank our leader, Mr Wike, who has made this flag off today a success," Mr Chukwuemeka said, while declaring open the event.

"Ve...