Full List: Newly elected LG Chairmen in Rivers
On October 5, residents of Rivers State cast their votes to elect representatives for local government positions. The election, which faced significant controversy regarding its legitimacy prior to the vote, saw the Action Peoples Party (APP) winning a remarkable 22 out of 23 local government areas (LGAs).
The state electoral commission suspended the declaration of results for the Etche Local Government Area due to ongoing collation efforts. Adolphus Enebeli, the Chief Electoral Officer of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), announced that results for the 319 councillorship seats will be revealed alongside the Etche Chairmanship results once collations are completed.
Elected LG Chairmen:
Abua/Odual: Vincent Reuben Obu
Ahoada-East: Chibudom Ezu
Ahoada-West: Iyekor Ikporo
Akuku-Toru: Hon. Mrs. Tonye Oniyide-Briggs (former Commissioner for Culture and Tourism under Gov. Wike)
Andoni: Lazarus Gogote Nteogwuile
Asari-Toru: Sule Amachree
Bonny: Dame Hon. Anengi Barasua Claude-Wilcox (re-elected)
Degema: Harry Agiriye (former Permanent Secretary)
Eleme: Brain Gokpa (serving Caretaker Committee Chairman)
Emohua: David Omereji (serving Caretaker Committee Chairman)
Etche: Ongoing collation
Gokana: Monday Dumiye
Ikwerre: Isreal Abosi
Khana: Martins Nwigbo
Obio/Akpor: Chijioke Ihunwo (serving Caretaker Committee Chairman)
Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni: Prince Isaac Umejuru (served as Commissioner for Urban Development under Gov. Fubara)
READ ALSO: Rivers LG Poll: APP wins 22 out of 23 chairmanship positions
Ogu/Bolo: Ishmael Oforibika
Okrika: Igwe Achese (former NUPENG President)
Omuma: Promise Reginald (serving Caretaker Committee Chairman)
Opobo/Nkoro: Enyiada Cookey-Gam (re-elected)
Oyigbo: Gift Okere (former leader of the All Progressives Congress)
Port Harcourt: Ezebunwo Ichemati (serving Caretaker Committee Chairman)
Tai: Matthew Nenubari Dike (serving Caretaker Committee Chairman)
Incidents on Election Day
On election day, Rivers State experienced two explosions. Police confirmed that one incident occurred early on Saturday. The first explosion was reported at the APC Secretariat on Aba Road around 3:00 AM, where a security guard heard a loud bang. Upon investigation, three black Toyota Hilux vans were seen speeding away. The explosion caused significant damage to the building, destroying its gate and shattering windows, while also igniting a fire in the security building.
The second explosion took place at the Obio/Akpor Council secretariat around 3:30 AM, with eyewitnesses reporting a black Toyota Hilux and a white Toyota Sienna driving past the location.
Gunfire was also reported in parts of Port Harcourt, particularly near the Wimpy area, close to the home of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Unidentified individuals in a black Toyota Corolla were seen firing shots in the area.
Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had previously protested against the election conduct, staging demonstrations at the Department of State Security and the Government House in Port Harcourt.
Context of the Election
The results from Saturday’s elections conclude a turbulent lead-up to the local government elections in the oil-rich state. Following a three-month grace period given by the Federal Government for states to conduct local elections, the Rivers State authorities faced a myriad of challenges.
Prior to the election, police stated they would not provide security due to a court order. Additionally, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was barred from supplying the voter register to RSIEC by a court order, creating a tense atmosphere in the lead-up to the election.
Despite these challenges, Governor Siminalayi Fubara asserted that the elections would proceed. He visited the RSIEC office around 1:00 AM on Friday, accusing state police operatives of attempting to hinder the electoral process.
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