Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, yesterday took control of the grassroots politics in Rivers State as candidates of the Action People’s Party (APP) swept the local government election, winning all the 23 councils. Results from the election as revealed by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, indicate that APP won in all local governments and most of the councilors in the 23 councils.

Despite the initial fears expressed in some quarters that the election won’t hold and that it would be marred by violence if it eventually holds, the election was peaceful except in some isolated cases of violence carried out by mostly persons or thugs brought in from other areas by some political leaders. However, the majority of voters, who started heading to their various polling units teamed up with the officers of the National Secu(NSCDC) and local vigilance group members to provide security. This came as Rivers Political Leaders and Elders, including former Governor, Sir Celestine Omehia; former Deputy Governor, Engr Tele Ikuru; Senator Lee Maeba; former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Sir Austin Opara; former Minister of Transport, Dr Abiye Sekibo; and former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, paid a solidarity visit to the State Governor at Government House, Port Harcourt. But it was not without some skirmishes as a suspected arsonist allegedly detonated explosives at the Rivers State Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), headed by the former caretaker committee chairman, Chief Tony Okocha, during the local government election yesterday. This came as gunmen scared off voters at Rumuepirikom community, the country home town of former governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to prevent voters from exercising their franchise. A short video clip believed to have been planted was circulated on social media platforms showed how a dynamite was thrown at the entrance of the secretariat, damaging the main gate and the security post of the building. It was gathered that the action of the gunmen occurred just at the same time the electoral officers were about to arrive at the ward in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

However, voters trooped out enmasse in the early hours of yesterday to cast their votes in the Rivers State Local Government election, despite the resolve of the Police to steer clear of the exercise rather than provide security for voters. It was only in a few polling units that voters didn’t cast their votes early, as some of them were seen waiting patiently for the officials of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to arrive and begin accreditation. In the Mile 3 area of Diobu in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area (PHALGA) voting started very early and went on smoothly across the polling units. In Unit 30, Ward 10, Npkolu Oroworukwo Town hall, in the same PHALGA, the former Deputy Speaker, House of Reps, Rt. Hon. Austin Opara, was among the voters who voted shortly after the electoral officers finished accreditation at his unit; unit 30 ward 10, Npkolu Oroworukwo Town hall, PHALGA. In Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, the base of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nysom Wike, accreditation started early in most of the polling units, where the APP carried the day, defeating the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC). In Abua/Odua, voters also turned out in large numbers despite an early morning downpour, which started shortly after distribution of election materials to the various wards. Despite the rain lasting for almost two hours, some voters continued with the election while others trooped out immediately after the rain. The caretaker committee chairman of Abua/ Odua, Comrade Madighi Dickson, who voted at Omelema Primary School Ward One, expressed surprise at the impressive turnout of voters, saying the turnout of people was amazing.

Also, the Acting Chairman Rivers State Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife IdionkuBen, who voted at Okoboh Ward 5 , Unit two, said that people were calm and voted without any incident despite the absence of the Police. In the same Abua/Odua, in Ward 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, officers of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps at Abua/ Odual, were on ground, providing support for the Local Vigilante. Meanwhile, Rivers State Political Leaders and Elders paid a solidarity visit to Governor Fubara, commending him for his doggedness and strong efforts to ensure the smooth conduct of the election in the state. They also assured him of God’s continuous guardian and protection as he strives to deliver democratic dividends to Rivers’ people, despite distraction intended to slow down his pace. Speaking on behalf of the group, former Governor of Rivers State, Sir Celestine Omehia, said: “The court, especially the Supreme Court decision empowered him, like any other governor in Nigeria, to conduct the local government election and the local government election is local.”

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