The Action Peoples Party, APP, has been declared winner in 22 of the 23 local government areas of Rivers State in the just-concluded local government election held Saturday.
The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, declared the 22 chairmanship candidates of APP as the winners after conclusion of collation.
Enebeli said all chairmanship candidates of the APP won the in the 22 local government areas apart from Etche Local Government Area, where he said results were still being awaited by the commission.
All the candidates of the APP are loyalists of Governor Siminialayi Fubara, who left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to contest the elections on the new platform following the crisis rocking the PDP in the state.
Enebeli clarified that the result of Etche Local Government Area and the 319 councillorship positions would be announced upon conclusion of collation.
The RSIEC chairman said the election held at 6,866 units of the state and that 18 political parties participated in the process.
He commended political parties and Rivers people for their commitment to the election.
Enebeli described the process as smooth, safe, free, fair, credible, and transparent.
He stressed that the process was successful, adding that it was violent free, and the most treasured council polls conducted in the state despite all odds.
The winners
The winners are Vincent Reuben Obu – Abua/Odual, Chibudom Ezu – Ahoada-East, Mr Iyekor Ikporo – Ahoada-West, Mrs. Tonye Oniyide – Akuku-Toru, Lazarus Gogote Nteogwuile – Andoni.
Others are Dr. Sule Amachree – Asari-Toru, Dame Anengi Barasua – Bonny, Dr. Harry Agiriye – Degema, Chief Brain Gokpa – Eleme, David Omereji – Emohua.
Also, Monday Dumiye – Gokana, Israel Abosi – Ikwerre, Martins Nwigbo – Khana, Amb. Chijioke Ihunwo – Obio/Akpor, Prince Isaac Umejuru – Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni, Ishmael Oforibika – Ogu/Bolo, Dr. Igwe Achese – Okrika, Promise Reginald – Omuma, won.
The test are Enyiada Cookey-Gam – Opobo/Nkoro, Gift Okere – Oyigbo, Ezebunwo Ichemati – Port Harcourt, and Matthew Nenubari Dike – Tai.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers had earlier cautioned against the declaration of the results.
Aaron Chukwuemeka, the Rivers PDP chairman, warned that announcing results could incite violence.
Victor Giadom, APC chairman in the south-south, said the party boycotted the election because of discrepancies with the existing laws.
THE CONTROVERSY
On September 4, a high court in the state held that RSIEC could conduct the LGA elections using the 2023 voter register.
But on September 30, a federal high court in Abuja barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the voter register to RSIEC.
The court also barred the inspector-general of police and the Department of State Services (DSS) from providing security for the exercise.
Despite the federal high court ruling and the withdrawal of security personnel, Fubara said the election must proceed as planned.
