Special Feature
By George Ozalla
Chief Felix Obuah DSSRS, widely known in Rivers political space as Go-Around, remains one of those political actors whose name has moved through party administration, public service and business engagement over the years. His current senatorial ambition has once again placed him in the centre of political discussions within his district, where attention is now fixed on his record, relationships and the way he has handled responsibilities across different levels of public life.
His early academic background provided the structure that later shaped his approach to administration and coordination. Those familiar with his early development say it reflected a steady build-up into public engagement, where attention to organisation and human interaction became a consistent part of his working style.
His rise became more pronounced during his years as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State. That position placed him at the centre of party management in one of the most politically active states in the country. He handled coordination across local government areas, managed internal disagreements, oversaw mobilisation structures and remained engaged with stakeholders at different levels of the political process.
It was a period that required constant movement between party officials, grassroots leaders and political actors with competing interests. Within that environment, those who observed his work say he maintained a steady presence in internal party coordination, often serving as a point of contact between different factions during tense moments in the political cycle.
Across party structures, a consistent description of his leadership style began to emerge. Many within the PDP hierarchy at the time described him as approachable and easy to reach, even when political temperatures rose. Party members often had direct access to him, and stakeholders frequently noted that he did not build unnecessary distance between leadership and the base.
One of the strongest public acknowledgements of his conduct came from former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, a central figure in the state’s political transition years. Wike, who worked closely with Obuah during critical moments in the party’s internal realignment and electoral coordination, spoke about his loyalty and conduct in a way that reflected both political assessment and personal observation.
Speaking at a political gathering, Wike said, “Loyalty is not by mouth or seeing the governor regularly. Loyalty is by conduct and things you can do at the back of those you call leaders.”
The former governor went further in explaining Obuah’s role during a politically sensitive period in the state, noting that during the 2013 political realignment, Obuah remained consistent in his alignment with the party leadership. According to Wike, he did not act in ways that undermined the government or the internal structure of the party, even when pressure mounted from different political directions.
Those who were part of the party structure during that period recall that Obuah’s role in coordination helped to hold certain internal arrangements together at moments when disagreements threatened to widen divisions. His position required balancing competing interests while still keeping communication channels open across different groups within the party.
Beyond party politics, Obuah also served in Development Control within the Abuja urban regulatory system. In that role, he was involved in the supervision of physical planning and enforcement of building regulations within the Federal Capital Territory. The office required oversight of building approvals, monitoring compliance with development standards and handling interactions with developers, residents and agents involved in construction processes.
The work itself placed him in direct contact with sensitive issues around land use, building infractions and regulatory enforcement. It was a space where decisions often carried public reactions, especially where demolitions, approvals or compliance disputes were involved. Those familiar with the system say the role demanded firmness in enforcement, but also regular engagement with affected parties.
Within that environment, associates describe him as someone who did not shut out conversation. Obuah was known for allowing people to explain their concerns before final positions were taken within the framework of regulation. One staff described him as “a man who listens first, even when the rules are already clear,” adding that this approach made interactions with members of the public less confrontational in many instances.
Outside government service, his business background has also remained part of his public identity. Over the years, he has been associated with private sector activities across different areas of enterprise. Supporters often point to this experience as part of what shapes his understanding of economic pressure at the level of small and medium scale operators, particularly in environments where access to capital and stability of business operations remain constant challenges.
Politically, his movement across party structures has kept him active within Rivers State politics. His emergence as a senatorial candidate under the All Progressives Congress (APC) brought him back into direct electoral contest, where he is already a familiar figure within his district. For many political observers within the area, his entry into the race did not introduce a new name, but rather repositioned an existing one within a new party structure.
Within his senatorial zone, discussions around his ambition have largely remained centred on experience, recognition and past engagement. Community-level conversations often reference his years in party leadership and public administration, with emphasis on how those experiences may translate into representation at the National Assembly.
A political stakeholder within the district, who has followed his career across different phases of public service, described him in personal terms during a recent interaction. According to him, Obuah’s strength lies not in distant political branding, but in day-to-day relationships built over time. He said, “He is not the type you struggle to reach. When you call on him, he responds. That kind of accessibility is not common in politics anymore.”
The stakeholder, a long-time community mobiliser and former local government political adviser, explained that his assessment was based on years of interaction within party structures and community engagements. He added that Obuah’s approach to people often reflects a familiarity that cuts across political divisions, noting that this has remained part of his public identity even outside formal office.
As the senatorial contest progresses, attention continues to remain on how his long involvement in party administration, public service and business engagement will shape voter perception. His supporters argue that his experience across different systems of governance gives him a broad understanding of both political coordination and public administration, while others continue to test how that record will translate into legislative work at the national level.
