….Coast Now Clear to End Emergency Rule – Wike
The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of 20 out of 23 local government chairmanship seats in Saturday’s elections, leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with just three councils.
According to the official results announced by RSIEC Chairman, Dr. Michael Odey, the PDP retained control of Obio-Akpor, Port Harcourt City (PHALGA), and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni (ONELGA).
In a major upset, Governor Siminalayi Fubara lost his home council of Opobo-Nkoro to the APC.
Some of the notable victories for the APC include Khana (Bariere Thomas – 156,027 votes), Andoni (Lucky Promise – 126,181 votes), Emohua (Chidi Lloyd – 114,380 votes), Etche (Njoku Boniface – 100,649 votes), and Oyigbo (Okechukwu Akara – 101,495 votes). The PDP secured landslide wins in Obio-Akpor (Gift Worlu – 328,823 votes) and Port Harcourt City (Allwell Ihunda – 235,054 votes).
Observers reported that the exercise was largely peaceful, with no major incidents of violence or ballot snatching.
However, voter turnout was relatively low in some areas, amid reports that Governor Fubara and his close allies did not participate in the polls.
Reacting after casting his ballot at Rumepirikom, Ward 9, Unit 007, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, described the elections as credible and transparent, adding that the outcome has paved the way for the lifting of the state of emergency imposed on Rivers earlier this year.
“With this election, the coast is clear for the state of emergency to be lifted. By September 18, when the emergency period ends, the state governor and members of the assembly will return to their duties, and the councils will have their elected representatives,” Wike stated
He commended President Bola Tinubu for insisting on the conduct of the elections, saying the outcome has restored democratic structures at the grassroots and will allow councils to receive their statutory allocations directly.
The elections came six months after the Supreme Court nullified an earlier RSIEC poll, and nearly half a year since President Tinubu declared emergency rule in the state, suspending Governor Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly, while appointing retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as sole administrator.
Meanwhile, reactions have continued to trail the outcome of the polls.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on opposition parties to reject the results, alleging irregularities, while other stakeholders have described the APC’s sweep as a turning point in Rivers politics.
The newly elected council chairmen are expected to be sworn in before September 18, when the emergency rule officially expires.