Fubara to swear in LGA Chairmen, dismantles Wike in Rivers, as APP sweeps LG elections
The governor of Rivers, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, will swear-in the 23 local government chairmen, declared winners of Saturday’s elections, this afternoon (Sunday), as the Action Peoples Party (APP) has won all the 23 local government area chairmanship seats in Rivers State
The State Government also confirmed in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Wenike Danagogo, that it was announced that the chairmen would be sworn in at 4 pm.
According to the statement: “His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, the Governor of Rivers State, will today, Sunday, October 6, 2024, swear in the newly elected Council Chairmen at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Port Harcourt, by 4pm.
The newly elected Chairmen, along with one (1) guest each, are expected to be seated by 3:30 pm.”
With this result, the much touted stronghold of the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, in the state was shattered, with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) expressing strong reservations regarding the election and the declared results.
RSIEC Chief Election Officer, Adolphus Enebeli, made the announcement on Saturday, commending the process as free, fair, and credible. He said that a large voter turnout was recorded and the polls were closed at 3 pm. The commission also confirmed that results for the 319 councillorship positions were announced alongside those of the Etche local government area once the collation concluded.
The results were observed by the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), state electoral body chairmen, and Nigerian Bar Association members. The announcement took place at the Ministry of Justice Hall instead of RSIEC’s usual office, a move Enebeli attributed to logistical challenges.
Despite RSIEC’s assurances of credibility, both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have expressed strong reservations regarding the election and the declaration of results.
At a press briefing, Rivers PDP Chairman Aaron Chukwuemeka warned that declaring results could incite violence, stating, “We want to caution that any attempt to announce any result whatsoever will be an invitation to violence. No election was held in Rivers State on the 5th of October, 2024, as ordered by the courts.”
Similarly, APC South-South Chairman Victor Giadom highlighted discrepancies in the election process, which he said contradicted existing laws. “The entire process of the local government election in Rivers is in conflict with the laws of the land. If the process is done according to law, my party will participate,” Giadom remarked.
Tony Okocha, the former chairman of the APC caretaker committee in Rivers, also voiced concerns about the election’s legitimacy, accusing Governor Siminalayi Fubara of disregarding a court judgment. He cautioned against declaring what he called “fictitious” results, warning it could spark unrest.
“The governor’s attempts to enthrone his protégés into the councils will not work,” Okocha added.
