Residents of Rivers State, Nigeria, went to the polls to elect their next set of grassroots representatives on October 5, 2024.
Despite controversies surrounding the legitimacy of the election before it began, the Action Peoples Party (APP) secured victory in 22 of the 23 local government areas (LGAs). However, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) delayed the announcement of results for Etche LGA due to ongoing collation.
Adolphus Enebeli, Chief Electoral Officer of RSIEC, announced the results in Port Harcourt on Saturday, stating that the results for the 319 councillorship seats, along with the chairmanship position for Etche LGA, would be announced once the collation is complete.
See the full list of winners below:
- Abua/Odual: Vincent Reuben Obu
- Ahoada-East: Chibudom Ezu
- Ahoada-West: Iyekor Ikporo
- Akuku-Toru: Hon. Mrs. Tonye Oniyide-Briggs (former Commissioner for Culture and Tourism under Gov. Wike)
- Andoni: Lazarus Gogote Nteogwuile
- Asari-Toru: Sule Amachree
- Bonny: Dame Hon. Anengi Barasua Claude-Wilcox (re-elected)
- Degema: Harry Agiriye (former permanent secretary)
- Eleme: Brain Gokpa (Caretaker Committee Chairman)
- Emohua: David Omereji (Caretaker Committee Chairman)
- Etche: Ongoing collation
- Gokana: Monday Dumiye
- Ikwerre: Isreal Abosi
- Khana: Martins Nwigbo
- Obio/Akpor: Chijioke Ihunwo (Caretaker Committee Chairman)
- Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni: Prince Isaac Umejuru (former Commissioner for Urban Development under Gov. Fubara)
- Ogu/Bolo: Ishmael Oforibika
- Okrika: Igwe Achese (Former NUPENG President)
- Omuma: Promise Reginald (Caretaker Committee Chairman)
- Opobo/Nkoro: Enyiada Cookey-Gam (re-elected)
- Oyigbo: Gift Okere (former APC leader)
- Port Harcourt: Ezebunwo Ichemati (Caretaker Committee Chairman)
- Tai: Matthew Nenubari Dike (Caretaker Committee Chairman)
Explosions and Gunshots Rock the State
Election day was marred by violence, as two explosions were reported in the state. According to the Rivers State Police Command spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, the first explosion occurred at the APC Secretariat on Aba Road at approximately 3:00 am. A security guard reported hearing a loud bang and observed three black Toyota Hilux vans fleeing the scene. The explosion caused significant damage, including the destruction of the gate and windows of the building, and the security post was set ablaze.
A second explosion was reported at the Obio/Akpor Council secretariat around 3:30 am. Witnesses described seeing a black Toyota Hilux van and a white Toyota Sienna minivan driving past the scene. Gunshots were also reported in parts of Port Harcourt, including the Wimpy area, near the home of Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Earlier in the week, members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had protested the election process, storming both the Department of State Security (DSS) office and the Government House in Port Harcourt to voice their demands.
Drama and Intrigues Surrounding the Election
The declaration of results on Saturday concluded a tense build-up to the local government election in Rivers State. The election followed the Federal Government’s three-month grace period for states to conduct local government polls.
In the lead-up to the election, the police had announced they would not provide security, citing a court order, while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was barred from supplying the voter register to RSIEC. This created tension in the state, leading to heightened anticipation before the election.
Despite these obstacles, Governor Siminalayi Fubara remained determined for the polls to go ahead. He even visited the RSIEC office around 1:00 am on Friday, accusing the police of attempting to disrupt the election.