The Rivers State Local Government Area elections, conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), were marred by empty polling units, widespread voter apathy, and logistical issues.
Despite these challenges, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, hinted that the return of the suspended governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on September 18 is sacrosanct.
The election, which was held across 319 wards and 23 local government areas, was affected by delays in the distribution of electoral materials to Registration Area Centres (RACs) due to manpower and sorting issues.
As of 10 am on Saturday, electoral materials had yet to arrive at voting centres in several local government areas, including Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt City, and Asari-Toru LGAs.
It was also observed that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) was not used during the election.
Also observed were residents flouting the movement restriction order by the police, as some markets were operating in a partial capacity, while people went about their personal business.
There was a low turnout of voters in city areas, while voting improved in some rural areas.
Nyebuchi Chinda, an agent of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Units 18, Ward 5, Elelewo, said the delay in the voting process was because the electoral officers were moving to units to distribute the materials.
However, when the voting process began, around 11 am across the state, reports emerged of the absence of original result sheets in some wards, especially ward 5 in Emohua LGA, and others in Ikwerre, Khana, Obio/Akpor, and additional LGAs.
In Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, the LGA of the suspended governor of the state, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, it was discovered that the original results sheets were also not among the materials distributed to the units.
The Chairmanship Candidate of the PDP in Obio/Akpor, Hon. Dr. Gift Worlu, who noted that the electoral material arrived late, said it was better it came later than never.
“It is better it came late than never. We are happy that our people are out here performing their civic duty, and I think this is a testament to the incredible campaign that we ran, talking to our people on the need for us to come together to confront and defeat the many challenges that confront us as a people.
“We are happy that we have this huge turnout. Democracy cannot win if we don’t fight for it. I want to thank our people for this show of support and understanding.”
Worlu, who was confident in the process, expressed optimism that he would emerge victorious, promising to lead with a people-centric approach.
Hon. Kingsley Chinda, Member of the House of Representatives, and Minority Leader of the 10th Assembly, commended RSIEC for conducting a peaceful election, noting that the people voted massively.
Chinda said: “I have already cast my vote, hoping and praying that those who are prepared and sincerely focused for service are given the opportunity to lead.
“I have to commend the chairman of RSIEC and his members for conducting a credible election. From beginning, I have monitored their activities till voting. You can see that everything is peaceful. It is more organised than the previous elections.”
“You can see that people are coming out to vote, and you can see that the process is seamless and smooth.”
Chinda noted that there were no traits that the election would be hijacked or rigged, noting that the people were out to do the right things.
Coast clear for Fubara’s return – Wike
Meanwhile, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has stated that the coast is now clear for the Emergency Rule declared in the state to be lifted.
Wike, who spoke shortly after casting his vote in Rumepirikom, Ward 9, Unit 007, Obio/Akpo Local Government Area of the state at about 11 am, expressed happiness with the peaceful nature of the elections.
He said: “I am very happy. It means that people identify with the election. You have not heard of any violence. You have not heard of snatching ballot boxes. You see that the electoral materials are there.
“People are there casting their votes. As far as we are concerned, the election is very peaceful.
“So, we are very happy that, at the end of the day, this election has been conducted very peacefully and successfully.”
Wike noted that with the conclusion of the LGA election, the coast is now clear for the governor to be reinstated.
Wike said: “So, having done this, the coast is clear for the state of emergency to be lifted, meaning that the local government has representatives, the state government has its own elected representatives, so we are good to go.”
Mild drama in Asari Toru LGA over alleged missing result sheet
There was a mild drama in Asiri Toru LGA in Ward 1, where voters decried a perceived grand scheme to short-change them by certain people within the local government.
The counselorship candidate of the Accord Party, for Ward 1, Seineri Onengiyeofiri George, lamented the attempt to subvert his vote while requesting that the electoral umpire do the right and not the bidding of some people within the LGA.
At Polling Unit 15, Ward 1, there was a rowdy section as youths chanted “one man one vote,” forcing the security personnel on the ground to control the crowd and ensure orderliness.
After casting his vote, the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmanship candidate of the Council, George Onengiyeofiri, described the voting process as peaceful, coordinated and seamless.
He explained that the allegation of missing result sheet was not true, expressing satisfaction with the exercise.
He further explained that there are processes to conduct an election, stressing that when it is right for the result sheet to be used, it will be brought out eventually.
Also, a Director in the Office of the National Secretary Adviser (NSA), Ojukaye Flag-Amacheree, described the election as the most peaceful in the history of the council. He acknowledged that security was top-notch, hailing the RSIEC for a smooth conduct of the election, and commended the voters for their peaceful disposition during the exercise.
Amachree, who spoke after casting his vot,e said, “I must commend RSIEC and the people of Asari-Toru LGA for having a peaceful election today. Everywhere is calm, everything is going on smoothly and I’m sure the people are really happy with the election, and maybe the candidates too. We are seeing the people participating freely.”
The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Border Communities Development Agency, Dakorinama George Kelly, expressed optimism that the council, in unison, will deliver their preferred candidate in fulfilment of the mandate of both President Bola Tinubu and their leader, Wike.
