The Action Peoples Party (APP) has achieved a significant victory in the Rivers State local government elections, securing 22 out of 23 chairmanship positions. This was announced by Justice Adolphus Enebeli, the Chief Election Officer of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), during a press conference in Port Harcourt.
The result for Etche Local Government Area was not immediately announced due to ongoing collation, and the 319 councillorship results will be confirmed after that process concludes. Enebeli commended the smooth conduct of the election, emphasizing that it was peaceful and free of violence, a notable achievement in a state often marked by political tensions. Enebeli declared the process credible and transparent.
Notably, the election took place under unique circumstances, as major political parties like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) chose not to participate. This followed a tense lead-up to the poll, where the police initially announced they wouldn’t provide security, citing a court order. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was also prohibited from releasing the voter register for the polls. Despite these obstacles, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara insisted that the election would proceed, and the RSIEC carried out the polls at 6,866 units across the state with the participation of 18 political parties.
The day of the election was marked by an explosion that damaged the All Progressives Congress secretariat in Port Harcourt. Although the blast caused significant property damage, the overall election was conducted without widespread violence, according to RSIEC.
This election comes as part of a federal mandate requiring states to conduct local polls, giving the APP a strong foothold in the governance of Rivers State’s local councils.
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