The Action Peoples Party, APP, swept 22 of 23 chairmanship positions contested in Saturday’s Rivers State local government election. But results from one local government area is still outstanding.
The Chief Election Officer of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, Justice Adolphus Enebeli, announced the results at the commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
Justice Enebili, while declaring the results, also disclosed that announcement of results of the chairmanship and the 319 councillorship positions from Etche Local Government Area was pending conclusion of collating.
The RSIEC chairman revealed that the election held at 6,866 units of the state, adding that 18 political parties participated in the process. He commended political parties and Rivers people for their commitment to the election.
“The process was smooth, safe, free, fair, credible, and transparent. The process was also successful,” he said.
Despite the decision of the Nigerian Police Force not to participate in the process due to some court judgements, the RSIEC chairman said Saturday’s poll was the most treasured in the history of the state as the vote was peaceful, devoid of the untoward incidents that usually mar the electoral process in Nigeria.
He announced the winners of the election as: Vincent Reuben Obu – Abua/Odual, Chibudom Ezu – Ahoada-East, Mr Iyekor Ikporo – Ahoada-West, Mrs. Tonye Oniyide – Akuku-Toru, Lazarus Gogote Nteogwuile-Andoni.
Others are: Dr. Sule Amachree – Asari-Toru, Dame Anengi Barasua – Bonny, Dr. Harry Agiriye – Degema, Chief Brain Gokpa – Eleme, David Omereji – Emohua, Monday Dumiye – Gokana, Israel Abosi – Ikwerre, Martins Nwigbo – Khana, Ambassador Chijioke Ihunwo – Obio/Akpor, and Prince Isaac Umejuru – Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni.
The remaining include: Ishmael Oforibika – Ogu/Bolo, Dr. Igwe Achese – Okrika, Promise Reginald – Omuma, Enyiada Cookey-Gam – Opobo/Nkoro, Gift Okere – Oyigbo, Ezebunwo Ichemati – Port Harcourt, and Matthew Nenubari Dike – Tai.
Saturday’s poll came on the heels of the Federal Government’s three-month ultimatum for states to conduct council elections.
In Rivers, and due to the raging war between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his political Godfather and predecessor, Nyesom Wike, the build-up to the election was full of drama and high-tension politics.
Palpable tension and fear so ruled the days preceding the vote that many thought it may not happen. Contrasting court judgements on the polls also did not help matters.
With the withdrawal of the police from election duties, two days to the poll, tension became so thick you could almost slice through with a knife.
But Governor Fubara kept assuring Rivers State citizens and residents that the vote will hold.
True to his words, the election held in all 23 local government areas without major incidents. And the non-participation of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and a faction of the All Progressives Congress, APC, did not have any significant impact on the conduct of the election.
