Rivers Election: Fubara Swears In Newly Elected LG Chairmen, As Action People's Party, Claims Overwhelming Victory, Secures 314 Of 319 Councillorship Seats Across 23 LGs
After the tense political drama and power play over political structures in Rivers State, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has presided over the swearing in of New LG Chairmen in the state after RSIEC announced that the Action People's Party (APP) has emerged victorious in the recent local Government elections in Rivers State, winning 314 out of 319 councillorship positions across the 23 local Government areas as declared by the RSIEC.
By: Abdulwasiu Akintunde
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has presided over the swearing in of new Local Government Chairmen after the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission(RSIEC) announced results in which the Action People's Party (APP) emerged victorious in the recent local Government elections in Rivers State, winning 314 out of 319 councillorship positions across the 23 local Government areas.
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News gathered that the inauguration was witnessed by Senator Bala Mohammed, the Governor of Bauchi State and Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum.
OTN News reports that the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Justice Adolphus Enebeli had earlier announced the results in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
According to the announced results, OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News gathered that the APP claimed victory in 314 wards, while the All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and Young People's Party (YPP) each won one seat.
OTN News recalls that this outcome contradicts earlier statements by APC’s caretaker committee chairman, Chief Tony Okocha, who suggested the party would not participate in the October 5th local elections.
However, the factional chairman, Chief Emeka Beke, had asserted the party's readiness, saying, "As the authentic chairman of APC in Rivers State, we are fully prepared for the election."
Amid the tension that engulfed Rivers State on the eve of the local government elections, OTN News had earlier reported the note of warning sounded by former Nigerian President, Dr.Goodluck Jonathan to the political players and gladiators in the state, saying that "the tension in Rivers State poses a significant threat to peace and stability, not only within the state but also across Niger Delta.Jonathan said conflicting court orders issued by courts of concurrent jurisdictions were part of the issues hampering democracy."
The former President had warned that "If not checked, the situation could derail Nigeria’s democracy and cause ridicule for the judiciary.
However, OTN News reports that earlier, some members of the APC and PDP loyal to the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, had embarked on massive protests in an unsuccessful effort to stop the elections as they marched from the popular Rumuola axis of Port Harcourt to the office of the RSIEC, chanting that the election should not be held but heavy security presence at the front of the RSIEC office prevented the protesters from doing anything untoward.
Announcing the results, the Chairman of the FRSC, Justice Adolphus Enebeli, said after collating the results, APP scored the majority of the valid votes in all the wards in the 22 LGAs.
Justice Enebeli explained that the result of the chairmanship position for Etche LGA was stood down by the commission because of its expansive landscape with its 19 wards, which slowed down the collation process.Justice Enebeli, who is also the Chief Electoral Commissioner for the election, declared the results in Port Harcourt.The results declaration was witnessed by members of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) from 18 political parties, leaders of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), civil society groups, returning officers, journalists, and other key stakeholders.Justice Enebeli stated that the polls, which closed at 3 p.m., witnessed a large turnout of voters who defiled the rain.He emphasised that the results of the Etche LGA chairmanship seat, and the 319 councillorship positions across the state would be announced in due course after the entire collation process has been concluded.
The RSIEC Chairman further stated that the election was conducted in all 6,866 units in the 319 political wards with 18 out of 19 political parties participating.He said: “It is, therefore, heartwarming that I stand before you all today to affirm the smooth, safe, free, fair, credible and transparent, all-inclusive, successful, violence-free, and most treasured conduct of the 2024 Rivers State Local Government Council election despite all odds.
He maintained that “Polls were closed across the state by 3 pm today. Before then, there was a large turnout of enthusiastic citizens who came out to exercise their franchise even amid the heavy downpour witnessed this morning.“In keeping with extant regulations, the commission displayed the register of voters in all the 6,866 polling units of the state while political parties embarked on campaigns to canvass votes from their supporters,” he added.Justice Enebeli explained that the elections were conducted based on the Supreme Court judgment of July 11, 2024, and the judgment of Justice IPC Igwe of Rivers State High Court.
Justice Enebeli also declared the names of the winners for the 22 chairmanship positions.
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