The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has cast his vote in the Rivers State local government elections, hailing the process as peaceful and dismissing concerns over the lack of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
Wike, a former governor of the state and a two-term local government chairman of Obio/Akpo, voted in his home area of Rumepirikom.
Following his vote, he expressed his satisfaction with the conduct of the polls, stating, “The election is very peaceful.”
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He noted the absence of violence and ballot-box snatching, which he said demonstrated a successful process.
Despite a low initial voter turnout, Wike expressed confidence that participation would increase throughout the day, showing that “people identify with the election.”
Addressing criticism about the non-use of the BVAS technology in the election, Wike asserted that this did not invalidate the polls’ integrity.
The minister, who was at the centre of the political crisis that led President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State in March, said the successful conduct of the local government elections paves the way for the emergency rule to be lifted.
“Having done this,” he said, “the coast is clear for the state of emergency to be lifted.”
The state of emergency, which saw the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy and the appointment of a sole administrator, was imposed by Tinubu to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
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Many Nigerians have questioned the constitutionality of this move.
Wike’s comments suggest that he believes the completion of the local government polls has restored a measure of stability that could prompt the end of the emergency rule.
