CITIZENS COMPASS– The local government election in Rivers State ended in surprises yesterday, as the Action Peoples Party (APP), winning 22 of the 23 seats in the State.
The Chief Election Officer of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Justice Adolphus Enebeli, made this known in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
According to him, the announcement was suspended in Etche Local Government Area following the results collation which was ongoing.
The chairman clarified that the result of Etche local government area and the 319 councillorship positions would be announced upon the conclusion of the collation.
He said the election was held at 6,866 units of the state and that 18 political parties participated in the process.
“The process was smooth, safe, free, fair, credible, and transparent. The process was also successful.”
He announced the 22 winners 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.
Also, Monday Dumiye – Gokana, Israel Abosi – Ikwerre, Martins Nwigbo – Khana, Amb. Chijioke Ihunwo – Obio/Akpor, Prince Isaac Umejuru – Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni, Ishmael Oforibika – Ogu/Bolo, Dr. Igwe Achese – Okrika, Promise Reginald – Omuma, won.
Others are Enyiada Cookey-Gam – Opobo/Nkoro, Gift Okere – Oyigbo, Ezebunwo Ichemati – Port Harcourt, and Matthew Nenubari Dike – Tai.
The election is coming on the heels of the Federal Government’s three-month ultimatum for states to conduct local polls.
In the days leading up to the poll, the atmosphere in the state grew increasingly charged after the police announced they would not provide security for the polls, citing a court order.
The Independent National Electoral Commission was also barred from releasing the voter register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission by a similar court injunction.
However, Governor Siminalayi Fubara remained defiant, vowing that the election would proceed as planned.
The police, however, countered the governor’s allegations, explaining that their presence at the RSIEC office was to safeguard the facility.
Despite the tensions, some of the state’s major political parties, including Fubara’s Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress did not participate in the election.
The day of the poll also came with its own drama when buildings and other property were shattered in an early explosion at the secretariat of the All Progressives Congress along Aba Road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.
The explosion brought down the gate of the secretariat while doors, windows and other property were destroyed.
Meanwhile, heavy gunfire was reported in Wike’s hometown, Rumuepirikom, during the Rivers State loca government elections.
