By Lanre Idris Mustapha
The Action Peoples Party, APP, won 22 out of 23 chairmanship positions in the recent local government election in Rivers State.
The Chief Election Officer, Justice Adolphus Enebeli, announced this in Port Harcourt. He mentioned that the result for Etche Local Government Area was still being collated and would be announced later, along with the results for 319 councillorship positions.
Enebeli praised the election as peaceful, free, and fair, with 18 political parties participating. He also commended the people for their commitment to the process.
Among the declared winners were Vincent Reuben Obu from Abua/Odual, Chibudom Ezu from Ahoada-East, Mr. Iyekor Ikporo from Ahoada-West, Mrs. Tonye Oniyide from Akuku-Toru, and Lazarus Gogote Nteogwuile from Andoni. Other winners included Dr. Sule Amachree (Asari-Toru), Dame Anengi Barasua (Bonny), Dr. Harry Agiriye (Degema), Chief Brain Gokpa (Eleme), and David Omereji (Emohua).
The election occurred amid some controversy. Days before the vote, the police said they wouldn’t provide security due to a court order, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was stopped from sharing the voter register. Despite this, Governor Siminalayi Fubara insisted the election would proceed, even though major parties like the PDP and APC did not participate.
On election day, an explosion damaged the APC secretariat in Port Harcourt, but overall, the election remained peaceful.
