In a surprising turn of events, the Action People’s Party (APP) has secured 22 out of 23 chairmanship positions in the recent local government elections in Rivers State.
The results, declared by Adolphus Enebeli, the Chief Election Officer of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), have sent shockwaves through the political landscape of the state.
The announcement took place on Saturday in Port Harcourt, marking a significant victory for the APP and a setback for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
While the APP celebrated its victory, the RSIEC suspended the declaration of results for the Etche Local Government Area (LGA).
This decision was made due to ongoing collation processes.
Enebeli stated that the results for the 319 councillorship seats will be announced alongside the Etche chairmanship results once collations are complete.
He described the elections as “free, fair, and credible,” despite various challenges faced during the process.
Enebeli noted that polls closed at 3 PM and witnessed a significant turnout of voters, a development he applauded as a demonstration of patriotism from the residents of Rivers State.
“I salute the residents for their commitment to democracy,” he said during the announcement.
The declaration was monitored by members of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), as well as chairpersons of independent electoral bodies from other states and members of the Nigerian Bar Association, who acted as observers.
The road to the local government elections in Rivers State was fraught with difficulties.
Police authorities had announced they would not provide security for the elections due to a court order.
Additionally, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) faced a court order preventing it from presenting the voter register to the RSIEC.
These developments created a tense atmosphere leading up to the elections, raising concerns about the election’s integrity and security.
Despite these challenges, Governor Siminalayi Fubara remained determined to hold the elections as planned.
In a bold move, he stormed the RSIEC office around 1:00 AM on Friday, alleging that police operatives in the state were attempting to thwart the electoral process.
His actions underscored the high stakes of the local government elections in a state known for its rich oil reserves and vibrant political climate.
The success of the APP in the local government elections marks a historic achievement for the party, which has long been overshadowed by the APC and PDP in the state.
This victory may signal a shift in the political landscape of Rivers State, as the APP positions itself as a viable alternative for voters seeking change.
Political analysts believe that the APP’s win could reshape the dynamics of local governance in the state, giving the party a stronger voice in future political contests.
The results of the local government elections will have far-reaching implications for the governance of Rivers State.
With the APP controlling the majority of chairmanship positions, there is potential for new policies and initiatives to emerge that align with the party’s vision for the state.
The incoming local government leaders will face the challenge of addressing pressing issues such as infrastructure, healthcare, and education, which are critical to the development of the region.
