The Action Peoples Party secured victory in 22 out of 23 chairmanship positions in the Rivers State local government election. Justice Adolphus Enebeli, the Chief Election Officer of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, announced this outcome in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Saturday.
Enebeli revealed that the results announcement was pending in Etche Local Government Area due to ongoing results collation. He clarified that the results for Etche LGA and the 319 councillorship positions would be declared upon the completion of the collation process.
The RSIEC chairman disclosed that the election took place at 6,866 units across the state, with 18 political parties participating. He commended the political parties and the people of Rivers for their dedication to the election, emphasizing that the process was smooth, secure, free, fair, credible, and transparent.
Enebeli described the election as the most peaceful council polls conducted in the state, despite facing various challenges. Notably, the Federal Government had issued a three-month ultimatum for states to conduct local polls.
In the lead-up to the election, tension rose in the state after the police announced their decision not to provide security for the polls, citing a court order. Additionally, the Independent National Electoral Commission was prohibited from releasing the voter register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission by a similar court injunction.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara remained resolute, ensuring that the election would proceed as planned despite these challenges. Notably, some major political parties, including Fubara’s Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress, chose not to participate in the election.
The election day was marked by an early explosion that damaged the secretariat of the All Progressives Congress in Port Harcourt, destroying property.