Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara will swear in the newly elected council chairmen at 4 p.m. on 6 October 2024. The newly elected chairmen, along with one guest, are expected to be seated by 3:30 pm.
The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission Chairman, Justice Adolphus Enebeli, declared 22 Action Peoples Party chairmanship candidates as winners of the 5 October 2024 local government elections. The candidates scored a majority of valid votes cast in two-thirds of their respective wards in the 22 local governments. The newly elected chairmen are expected to be seated by 3:30 pm.
The Etche LG election result was halted due to the expansive landscape of 19 wards, slowing down the collation process. The election was marred by violence, with suspected political thugs and police uniforms causing chaos. An incident occurred at Elekahia Primary School in Port Harcourt City LGA, where 21 Hilux patrol vans with armed men fired tear gas canisters. Two explosions were reported at the All Progressives Congress secretariat and the Obio/Akpor Local Government secretariat. The state police command responded swiftly, collecting samples for investigation. RSIEC officials were absent in Ward 9, Rumueprikom, Obio/Akpor LG, the hometown of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesome Wike.
“We noticed that the election did not hold in Rumuiprikom,” a voter identified as Oluchi remarked. However, elections are being held in other locations. We have no idea what transpired.
In the settlements of Mgbuoba, Ozuoba, and NTA Road in Obio/Akpor LG, a similar circumstance was noted. Voters in those areas expressed frustration at the lack of election materials and officials. The absence of RSIEC officials in key locations raises concerns about the transparency and integrity of the electoral process.
