The Action Peoples Party (APP) has won 22 chairmanship positions out of 23 in the Rivers State local government election.
The Chief Election Officer of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Justice Adolphus Enebeli, made this known on Saturday in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
While declaring the results, Enebili said the announcement was suspended in Etche Local Government Area because the results collation was ongoing.
Enebeli clarified that the result of Etche Local Government Area and the 319 councillorship positions would be announced upon conclusion of collation.
The RSIEC chairman said the election held at 6,866 units of the state and that 18 political parties participated in the process.
He commended political parties and Rivers people for their commitment to the election.
He said, “The process was smooth, safe, free, fair, credible, and transparent. The process was also successful.”
He said it was violent-free, and the most treasured council polls conducted in the state despite all odds.
He said the winners of the election are 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.
The rest 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 (INEC) 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 (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) 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 the early explosion that shattered 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.
