The Action People’s Party (APP) has secured victory in 22 out of 23 chairmanship positions in the recently concluded local government elections in Rivers State.
The Chief Electoral Officer of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Adolphus Enebeli, announced the results on Saturday in Port Harcourt. However, the results for Etche Local Government Area (LGA) were suspended due to ongoing collation.
Enebeli added that the announcement of the 319 councillorship seats would be made alongside the Etche chairmanship results once the collation is completed. He described the election as free, fair, and credible, with polls closing at 3 PM and a strong voter turnout reported.
He commended the residents for their patriotism and participation. The declaration of results was witnessed by members of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), chairmen of independent electoral bodies from various states, and observers from the Nigerian Bar Association.
Due to certain logistical challenges, the commission “adopted the principle of bi-location,” holding the announcement at the Ministry of Justice Hall in the State Secretariat complex rather than the RSIEC office on Aba Road.
Explosions, Protests, and Gunshots
On the day of the election, two explosions were reported in the state, one at the All Progressives Congress (APC) Secretariat on Aba Road. A security guard reported hearing a loud bang, with three black Toyota Hilux vans seen speeding away afterward, according to Rivers State Police Command spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko.
The second explosion occurred at the Obio/Akpor Council secretariat around 3:30 AM, causing significant damage. In addition to the explosions, gunshots were reported in some areas of Port Harcourt. Unidentified individuals in a black Toyota Corolla were spotted firing shots near the Wimpy area, close to the residence of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Earlier in the week, members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) protested the election’s conduct, storming the Department of State Security office and the Government House in Port Harcourt to express their concerns.
Tensions Surrounding the Election
Saturday’s results declaration concluded a tense lead-up to the local government elections in Rivers State, following the Federal Government’s three-month grace period for states to conduct such polls.
In the days before the election, the police stated they would not provide security for the poll due to a court order, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was also barred from supplying the voter register to RSIEC. These developments heightened tensions in the state.
Despite the challenges, Governor Siminalayi Fubara remained resolute, insisting that the election would proceed. He visited the RSIEC office at 1:00 AM on Friday, accusing the police of attempting to disrupt the election. The police, however, clarified that their presence was to secure the premises following intelligence reports of a potential arson attack.
Top political parties, including the PDP and APC, did not participate in the election. Governor Fubara expressed his frustration, admitting that his party’s absence made him “the greatest loser” in the poll.
Despite this, the PDP at the national level urged residents to turn out and exercise their voting rights.