THE Action People’s Party (APP) secured 22 out of 23 chairmanship positions in the recently concluded local government election in Rivers State.
The Chief Electoral Officer of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Adolphus Enebeli, announced the results today in Port Harcourt.
The declaration of results for Etche Local Government Area (LGA) was however postponed due to ongoing collation.
Enebeli also noted that the results for the 319 councillorship seats, along with the Etche chairmanship, would be announced after the collation is completed.
He described the election as free, fair, and credible, citing a large voter turnout and the closure of polls by 3 pm.
Enebeli commended the residents for their patriotism and participation in the election.
The results were observed by members of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), state electoral bodies, and the Nigerian Bar Association, among others.
He also explained that the commission had to move the announcement to the Ministry of Justice Hall at the State Secretariat complex due to unforeseen circumstances.
Meanwhile on election day, two explosions occurred in the state.
According to the Rivers State Police Command spokesperson,Grace Iringe-Koko, one explosion took place at the APC Secretariat on Aba Road around 3:00 am, causing significant damage.
A second explosion was reported at the Obio/Akpor Council secretariat.
Gunfire was also reported in parts of Port Harcourt, including near the residence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Earlier in the week, members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) protested against the election, gathering at the Department of State Security and Government House in Port Harcourt.
The local government election concluded a tense lead-up, following the Federal Government’s three-month grace for states to conduct the polls.
In the days leading up to the election, police authorities cited a court order and refused to provide security for the exercise.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was similarly barred from providing voter registers.
Despite these challenges, Governor Siminalayi Fubara vowed the election would proceed and accused police operatives of attempting to disrupt the process.
The PDP and the All Progressives Congress (APC) however did not participate in the election.
Governor Fubara acknowledged his disappointment, admitting that his party’s absence made him the “greatest loser.”
Nonetheless, on the eve of the election, the PDP at the national level urged residents to participate and exercise their voting rights.