Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, will today, Sunday October 6, officially swear in the newly elected council chairmen following the recently concluded local government elections.
The ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Port Harcourt, at 4 p.m., as announced by Dr. Tammy Wenike Danagogo, Secretary to the State Government.
The local government elections, which were marred by legal and political tensions, saw the Action Peoples Party (APP) secure 22 out of 23 chairmanship positions across the state.
The Chief Election Officer of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Justice Adolphus Enebeli, declared the results on Saturday but noted that collation was still ongoing for Etche Local Government Area.
RSIEC Chairman, Enebeli, described the elections as “smooth, safe, free, fair, credible, and transparent,” and commended the peaceful atmosphere despite initial concerns about security.
The elections were conducted across 6,866 units in the state, with 18 political parties participating in the process. Enebeli lauded the Rivers people and political parties for their commitment to a peaceful and successful election.
Among the declared winners are Chibudom Ezu for Ahoada-East, Vincent Reuben Obu for Abua/Odual, and Mrs. Tonye Oniyide for Akuku-Toru, alongside other chairmen from the state’s 22 local government areas. However, results for the 319 councillorship positions and the chairmanship of Etche LGA are expected to be announced upon the completion of collation.
The elections, which were triggered by a Federal Government mandate for states to conduct local polls within three months, faced numerous challenges in the days leading up to the vote.
Political tension heightened when the Rivers State Police Command initially announced it would not provide security for the elections, citing a court order.
Additionally, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was barred by a similar court injunction from releasing the voter register to RSIEC.
Despite these setbacks, Governor Fubara remained resolute, insisting that the elections would proceed.
The tensions culminated in an explosion at the All Progressives Congress (APC) secretariat in Port Harcourt, destroying the gates, windows, and other property just hours before the polls opened.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and APC both abstained from the elections, leaving APP to sweep the majority of the chairmanship positions.
Today’s swearing-in ceremony signifies the conclusion of a high-stakes election process. The newly elected chairmen are expected to take up their positions with the mandate of leading their respective local government areas toward development and progress.
Governor Fubara is anticipated to outline his administration’s vision for local governance in Rivers State during the event.
The newly elected chairmen and their guests are expected to be seated by 3:30 p.m. for the 4 p.m. ceremony.