Barely a few hours since the Rivers State chairmanship and councillorship electoral process began on Saturday, the environment has remained peaceful as party agents gave accolades to the electoral body and security personnel.
The election is scheduled across 23 Local Government Areas (LGA), 319 wards and 4,442 polling units in the state, conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
At various registration centres and polling units, ad-hoc staff, voters, including observers, were seen present while strategic areas remained deserted.
The election, which was supposed to be conducted on 9 August, was later postponed to 30 August due to a political crisis that erupted from the suspended governor and his predecessor, Minister Nyesom Wike.
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This election came after the Supreme Court annulled the October 2024 council election in the state over violations of the Electoral Act.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu had declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on 18 March, which led to the suspension of Governor Fubara, his deputy, Prof Ngozi Udo, and lawmakers.
Since the declaration, seconded by the National Assembly and Senate, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas was appointed as the Sole Administrator of the state.
At various registration centres located in Elekahia, Port Harcourt City LGA, Eneka in Obio/Akpor LGA, Emuoha LGA, Asari-Toru LGA, among other LGAs, materials were distributed to other polling units.
At some key locations known for their booming activities, it remained deserted as shops were seen under lock, while in some major roads and streets, they became football pitches for children and youths.
Meanwhile, in some areas in the Barako Community, Gokana LGA, voting was ongoing in Ward 11, Units 12 to 22 while in some areas, businessmen, market women were busy carrying out their business.
At Ward 4, Units 26, 4, 5 and 3 of Rumoudomaya, it was observed that as voting continued, it remained peaceful.
All Progress Party agent at Ward 43, Rumoudomaya, Prince Adekunle, described the election “peaceful.”
Another party agent from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), George Okey, for Unit 42 at Rumoudomaya, expressed satisfaction while noting that the election process had been free and fair with no security bridge.
“I see that all through I have witnessed elections, this one is the most peaceful election I have witnessed. Voter turnout has been at a maximum. The security personnel are also present,” Okey noted.
After Wike cast his vote at the polling unit located at Rumuepirikom, while addressing pressmen on the low turnout of voters, he revealed that the emergency rule declared in the state will come to an end on 18 September.
“So we are very happy that this election, at the end of the day, has been conducted very peacefully and successfully. Of course, what it means is that I do know that by the 18th of September, the emergency rule will expire. And then that will mean that the second and third assembly will come back to their job,” Wike revealed.
“And then we have to take it at the grassroots level. Remember that the Supreme Court had nullified the other election. I’m saying this election was not conducted.”
Explaining further, he said, “But it will mean that we have to take it at the grassroots level, which will be acceptable by the people of Rivers State. So, having done this, then the coast is clear for the emergency to be lifted. Meaning that the local government and the state government will soon be elected into position.”
