A former presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has commended the people of Rivers State, and the state governor, Sim Fubara, for “rejecting oppression” in last Saturday’s local government elections in the state.
Atiku in a post on his X handle, thanked the people for their steadfastness “in the face of adversity” and ensuring that the election unfolded with peace and integrity.
The former vice president said, “As prophesied, it has now been revealed that the citizens of Rivers are astute and resolute, unwavering in their rejection of any form of political oppression, harassment, or the machinations of self-serving godfathers.
“As I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the newly elected local government leaders, I urge them to wear the welfare of the people as their foremost badge of honour and shun tyranny and delusional ambition in their political endeavours.
“I must also applaud Governor Fubara for his unwavering commitment to the people’s interests, safeguarding the sanctity of the local government elections even amidst provocative challenges.”
Chairman of Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Justice Adolphus Enebeli, had announced 22 chairmanship candidates of the Action Peoples Party (APP) as winners of last Saturday’s local government elections in Rivers State.
He said the APP candidates scored the majority of valid votes cast in the election in two-thirds of their respective wards in the 22 LGAs, hence their declaration as winners.
Yesterday, Justice Enebeli declared that the APP candidates won 314 of the 319 wards in the local government elections. He however, announced a candidate of the Action Allianc (AA), Uzodinma Nwafor as winner of Etche LG poll in the state.
Credible sources hinted that Governor Fubara was to swear in the newly elected chairmen yesterday at government house, Port Harcourt.
Recall that the local government caretaker chairmen in Rivers State recently defected from the PDP to the APP, following the rift between the state governor, Fubara, and his predecessor, who is currently the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike. Political analysts have said the decision was a prelude to Fubara’s defection to the APP, a claim the governor punctured.
