By Our Reporter
The Action Peoples Party (APP) has secured victory in 22 of the 23 local government chairmanship elections in Rivers State, according to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC). The results from Etche Local Government Area remain inconclusive as collation is still underway.
Despite the APP’s sweeping success, the election has been met with significant opposition from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), both of which have raised concerns about the validity of the process and the announcement of results.
RSIEC Chairman, Hon. Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd), made the announcement on Saturday, hailing the election as transparent and orderly, with large voter participation and a smooth conclusion by 3 pm. He added that the results for the 319 councillorship seats across the state would be announced once collation for Etche LGA is complete.
Observers from the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), electoral body officials, and representatives of the Nigerian Bar Association witnessed the announcement, which was held at the Ministry of Justice Hall rather than RSIEC’s office, a shift attributed to logistical issues.
However, the PDP and APC voiced strong opposition to the results. At a press conference, Rivers PDP Chairman Aaron Chukwuemeka warned that announcing the results could provoke unrest. “No valid election took place in Rivers State on October 5, 2024, as directed by the courts. Declaring any results now would be an invitation to violence,” he stated.
Echoing these sentiments, APC South-South Chairman Victor Giadom criticized the election, claiming it violated legal standards. “The entire local government election process in Rivers State is flawed and contradicts the law. My party will only participate if the proper legal procedures are followed,” Giadom said.
Former APC caretaker committee chairman Tony Okocha also condemned the election, accusing Governor Siminalayi Fubara of ignoring court rulings to install his allies in key positions. He described the results as “fictitious” and warned that declaring them could spark widespread unrest. “The governor’s attempt to impose his loyalists on the councils will not stand,” Okocha asserted.
As tensions mount, the final result from Etche LGA remains highly anticipated, with the PDP and APC continuing to demand caution and transparency to avoid potential conflict.
