•Observer rates conduct of security agents, voters high
•Peace gradually returns
Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission ,RSIEC, has declared the All Progressives Congress ,APC, winner of 20 local government council elections, while the Peoples Democratic Party ,PDP, secured three councils.
The declaration was made by the chairman of the commission, Dr Michael Odey, on Sunday at the commission headquarters.
According to Dr Odey, 18 parties participated in the exercise, and Rivers people turned out enmasse to cast their votes.
Polls Observation, Dr Gabriel Nwambu, has praised the conduct of security agents and voters during the Saturday local government elections in Rivers State.
In a statement released yesterday, Nwambu revealed that the mission deployed 330 observers across all 23 local government areas ,LGAs, reporting no incidents of intimidation, thuggery, violence, or vote-buying.
He highlighted the pivotal role of the police, the lead agency responsible for internal security and the democratic process, affirming that they were “on top of the game”.
Nwambu noted that checkpoints were manned by a well-trained and thoroughly briefed joint task force, comprising multiple law enforcement agencies, including the military.
He commended the officers for strictly adhering to the rules of engagement, describing this election as one of the best in recent times concerning the performance of law enforcement agencies.
Meanwhile, an eyewitness account, who pleaded anonymity disclosed that the LGA polls were just a formality as the people were waiting for the Wike’s-backed APC to be announced the winner of August 30 LG Polls amid a very low turnout. Isn’t this what the former governor Wike wanted ? He said, he wants to be in control of the LGA structure to deliver results for President Tinubu in 2027, the man laughed loudly. When our Correspondent pushed further for his identity, he said, ” I am simply a watchman, telling you the real truth, both us can’t do anything at least for now”, he said.
He said, Peace will surely return to the state because Wike is now happy. Rivers people will now expect the return of Fubara their authentic Governor and the kind of peace Wike want will return to the state gradually. Rivers people will get over it soon but the history will remain there.
The RSIEC released LG results showed that the APC performed impressively, winning in 20 LGAs, including Abua/Odual, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Akuku Toru, Andoni, Asari Toru, Bonny, Degema, Eleme, Emohua, Etche, Gokana, Ikwerre, Khana, Ogu/Bolo, Okrika, Omuma, Opobo Nkoro, Oyigbo, and Tai.
Whereas the PDP, on the other hand, won in Obio/Akpor, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, and Port Harcourt City.
The election was described as peaceful, with some voters expressing gratitude to God and the government for the opportunity to participate.
The conduct of the polls was commended by some stakeholders, including the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who cast his vote in Rumuepirikom, Ward 9, Unit 007, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
The results are as follows:
APC’s won LGA
Abua/Odual: The Abua-Odual LGA result shows APC’s Owolabi won with 28,755 votes.
Ahoada East: Solomon won with 54,509 votes.
Ahoada West: Eugene Epelle secured 84,125 votes.
Akuku Toru: Bob Fubara garnered 63,593 votes
Andoni: Loveday Promise received 126,181 votes.
Asari Toru: George secured 56,383 votes.
Bonny: Pepple Abinye won with 13,543 votes.
Degema: Michael John Williams secured 61,536 votes
Eleme: Obari Ollor garnered 77,452 votes
Emohua: Chidi Julius Lyord won with 115,380 votes
Etche: Chima Njoku secured 100,649 votes
Gokana: Confidence Deekor received 96,478 votes
Ikwerre: Charles Wobodo won with 62,746 votes
Khana: Bariere Thomas secured 156,027 votes.
Ogu/Bolo: Vincent Nieboka garnered 36,744 votes
Okrika: Aluro Alfred won with 32,285 votes
Omuma: Obasi Ochechuku secured 38,530 votes
Opobo Nkoro: James A.James garnered 38,822 votes
Oyigbo: Okechukwu Akara won with 101,495 votes
Tai: Opey Mgbaapkone secured 70,080 votes.
PDP’s won LGAs
Obio/Akpor: Gift Worlu secured 328,823 votes
Ogba Egbema Ndoni: Shedrack Chuku garnered 51,051 votes
Port Harcourt City: Allwell Ihunda won with 235,054 votes.
AljazirahNigeria recalls that the LGA polls were conducted by the suspended Governor Fubara but was cancelled by the Supreme Court. And under the Sole Admin, Ibok Ette’s watch, a credibile and acceptable LG Polls , first in the history of Nigeria’s democracy was conducted .
