Saturday was a turning point in the politics of Rivers state with a hitherto unknown political party, sweeping the polls in the local government elections. The Action People’s Party (APP) won 22 chairmanship positions out of 23 in the just-concluded local government elections.

His Royal Majesty, King Air Commodore T.E.O. Ogube (rtd) JP, DSS, the Amayanabo of Kirike Kingdom, voting at Ward 3, Gladstone Unit 3, in Okrika LGA.

It also marked a watershed in the conduct of elections because the elections held were largely peaceful despite the non-involvement of officers and men of the Nigerian Police Force. Apart from non-significant skirmishes in a few units, the elections went on seamlessly.

There were pockets of protests, with those who didn’t want the elections held gathering around the polo ground to register their disdain against the electoral process, such analysts argue add to the strengthening of the democratic process. It was alleged that the protesters gathered at a venue leading to the Secretariat of the RSIEC to prevent the Returning Officers from being able to gain access to the collation centre with their results.

Violence erupted in a few places when certain buildings were shattered by explosion including the Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress along Aba Road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital. The explosion destroyed the gate of the secretariat while doors, windows and other property were affected.

There was, however, an impressive voter turnout with important personalities including traditional rulers casting their votes for the candidates of their choice at different polling units.

Governor Fubara and former Governor Wike

Nigeria’s two largest parties, the APC and the PDP declined participation in the elections for different reasons. However, it was alleged that candidates of one of the two factions claiming leadership of the APC in the State contested the polls. It was being reported that both Governor Fubara and former Governor Wike lost their polling units and wards because their party, the didn’t field candidates.

Voting closed at 3:00 pm and sorting, counting, and collation of results commenced immediately.The Chief Election Officer of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) Adolphus Enebeli declared the results later in the evening on Saturday in Port Harcourt.

However, he suspended the declaration of results for Etche Local Government Area (LGA) due to ongoing collation. The RSIEC chairman also said that an announcement for the 319 councillorship seats will be made when the Etche Chairmanship position result is concluded.

The RSIEC chairman said the election held at 6,866 units of the state and that 18 political parties participated in the process. He described the election as “free, fair, and credible, despite all odds”. According to him, polls were closed at 3 pm and recorded a large turnout of voters. He thanked the residents for their turnout and cooperation throughout the electoral process.

He named the winners of the election as Vincent Reuben Obu – Abua/Odual, Chibudom Ezu – Ahoada-East, Mr Iyekor Ikporo – Ahoada-West, Mrs. Tonye Oniyide – Akuku-Toru, Lazarus Gogote Nteogwuile – Andoni, Dr. Sule Amachree – Asari-Toru, Dame Anengi Barasua – Bonny, Dr. Harry Agiriye – Degema, Chief Brain Gokpa – Eleme, David Omereji – Emohua.

Others are Monday Dumiye – Gokana, Israel Abosi – Ikwerre, Martins Nwigbo – Khana, Amb. Chijioke Ihunwo – Obio/Akpor, Prince Isaac Umejuru – Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni, Ishmael Oforibika – Ogu/Bolo, Dr. Igwe Achese – Okrika, Promise Reginald – Omuma, Enyiada Cookey-Gam – Opobo/Nkoro, Gift Okere – Oyigbo, Ezebunwo Ichemati – Port Harcourt, and Matthew Nenubari Dike – Tai.

The announcement of the results was observed by members of IPAC, Chairmen of States Independent Electoral Bodies across the country, and members of the Nigeria Bar Association who acted as observers in the polls.

The results were announced at the Ministry of Justice Hall at the State Secretariat complex, rather than the Commission’s office on Aba Road.

The chairman said the commission “adopted the principle of bi-location because of the exigencies” they found themselves.

Governor Fubara Speaks

Governor Sim Fubara

Wholeheartedly, I commend the good people of Rivers State who despite all the many shenanigans of the APC-led Police and Wike with his co-travelers have stood firm for what is right and just. Also, I strongly commend the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Hon. Debo, who has stood firm for what is right despite all the pressures and inducements. It is not everybody that would have been able to, look at the acting National Chairman and the National Secretary are neither here nor there. God continues to bless the National Publicity Secretary, and I urge every loyal party member to please support him. He is one of those NWCs who have agreed to stand by the truth.

I saw the press release statement from the Police, it is quite disheartening that they will put out such a statement filled with contradictions and lies. Suddenly, the Nigerian Police now obey court orders despite numerous evidence of them disobeying court orders. People must understand that our Constitution does not stop an election, you can seek redress in a court of law of competent jurisdiction. Section 84(15) of the Electoral Act, 2022.

Besides, there was a court order mandating that the LGA election process should go on, why aren’t the Police obeying that one? Suddenly, they now cherry-pick which order to obey. The most painful is that we see things like this going on in the Country, and people who should know better are excited with illegality and rascality. For them, it is politics. How did we get here? For a Nation to develop and prosper, there should be a level where we place constitutionality over anything else.

What is the big deal in an LGA election? The reason Wike is doing what he is doing is because they are trying to prevent Rivers State from getting their allocations by the end of this month. After all, there was an agreement between the FG and the States. I wonder how a party is happy that people will suffer should they don’t get their allocations, how are you excited about this?

This is no longer politics, it is wickedness. Continue getting excited over nonsense, whatever has a beginning has an end. You cannot be in power forever. Recall, that despite a court order preventing Rivers PDP from holding congresses, the Wike group still went ahead to conduct it. Where was your angst

Rivers Crisis: A Note of Caution by Former President Jonathan

I am aware that the local government election taking place in Rivers State today, October 5, has been a subject of great interest to political actors.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan

The political happenings in Rivers State in the past few days are a cause for serious concern for everyone, especially lovers of democracy and all actors within the peace and security sector of our nation.

Elections are the cornerstone of democracy because they are the primary source of legitimacy. This process renews the faith of citizens in their country as it allows them to have a say in who governs them.

Every election is significant, whether at national or sub-national levels as it counts as a gain and honour to democracy.

It is the responsibility of all stakeholders, especially state institutions, to work towards the promotion of a sound democratic culture of which periodic election stands as a noble virtue.

Democracy is our collective asset, its growth and progress are dependent on the government’s commitment to uphold the rule of law and pursue the interest of peace and justice at all times.

Institutions of the state, especially security agencies must refrain from actions that could lead to the breakdown of law and order.

Rivers State represents the gateway to the Niger Delta and the threat to peace in the state could have huge security implications in the region.

Let me sound a note of caution to all political actors in this crisis to be circumspect and patriotic in the pursuit of their political ambition and relevance.

I am calling on the National Judicial Commission (NJC) to take action that will curb the proliferation of court orders and judgements, especially those of concurrent jurisdiction giving conflicting orders. This, if not checked, will ridicule the institution of the judiciary and derail our democracy.

The political situation in Rivers State, mirrors our past, the crisis of the Old Western Region. I, therefore, warn that Rivers should not be used as crystals that will form the block that will collapse our democracy.

State institutions especially the police and the judiciary and all other stakeholders must always work for the public interest and promote the common good such as peace, justice, and equality.