October 05, (THEWILL) – The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has announced the results of the state’s Local Government elections, which was held on Saturday, with the Action Peoples Party (APP), emerging victorious in 22 of 23 chairmanship seats so far declared.
The chairman of the Commission, Justice Adolphus Enebeli, announced the results on Saturday evening in Port Harcourt.
While results of Etche Local Government Area have been suspended as collation of results is still ongoing, Justice Enebeli, explained that the result was stood down by the commission because of its expansive landscape with its 19 wards, which slowed down the collation process.
He emphasised that the results of Etche Local Government Area chairmanship seat and the 319 councillorship positions across the State, will be announced in due course after the entire collation process has been concluded.
According to the RSIEC Chairman, elections were conducted in all 6,866 units in the 319 political wards with 18 out of 19 political parties participating.
He said, “I, Hon Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd), in my capacity as the Chairman, Chief Electoral Commissioner of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) and pursuant to the extant provisions of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Law No. 2 of 2018, and all other laws enabling me in that behalf, do hereby make declaration of results for the Chairmanship election into the 23 Local Government Councils of Rivers State.
“After painstaking collation of results at the close of polls by our team of officials regarding the local government council elections conducted this day, the 5th of October, 2024, I declare the following candidates, having scored majority of lawful or valid votes cast in two-thirds of the wards comprising their respective local government areas of Rivers State are hereby returned as elected Chairmen or Chairwomen.
“Names of the winners for the Chairmanship positions so declared include: Vincent Reuben Obu for Abua/Odual; Chibudom Ezu for Ahoada-East; Iyekor Ikporo for Ahoada-West; and Mrs. Tonye Briggs-Oniyide for Akuku-Toru.
“Others are: Lazarus Gogote Nteogwuile for Andoni; Dr Sule Amachree for Asari-Toru; Dame Anengi Barasua for Bonny; Dr Harry Agiriye for Degema; Chief Brain Gokpa for Eleme and David Omereji for Emohua.
“Also declared as winners are: Monday Dumiye for Gokana; Isreal Abosi for Ikwerre; Martins Nwigbo for Khana; Amb Chijioke Ihunwo for Obio/Akpor and Prince Isaac Umejuru for Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni.
“For Ogu/Bolo, Ishmael Oforibika was declared as winner; with Igwe Achese for Okrika; Promise Reginald for Omuma; Enyiada Cookey-Gam for Opobo/Nkoro; Gift Okere for Oyigbo; Ezebunwo Ichemati for Port Harcourt and Matthew Nenubari Dike for Tai Local Government Councils.”
The announcement of the results was witnessed by members of Inter-Party Advisory Council from 18 political parties, leaders of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), civil society groups, returning officers, journalists and other key stakeholders.
Justice Enebeli also took time to explain the determined efforts made by the commission to ensure a smooth electoral process that built the required confidence in all those who participated in the exercise.
“After our stakeholder meeting, the parties had primaries, candidates were screened and subsequently cleared to contest as Chairmen, Vice Chairmen and councillors from the various wards and local government areas of Rivers State.
“The commission embarked on an enlightenment and sensitisation campaign to educate the citizens on their democratic rights and the importance of exercising their franchise.
“In keeping with extant regulations, the commission displayed the register of voters in all the 6,866 polling units of the State while political parties embarked on campaigns to canvass votes from their supporters”, he said.
The RSIEC Chairman, however, regretted that while things were progressing smoothly, there was a 10-day protest that gripped the nation, which led to stagnation of social, economic and political activities.
He stressed, “That aside, several legal obstacles and court cases were instituted against the commission by persons and parties in vindication of their democratic rights. Despite these obstacles, the commission remained unbowed and ensured that the 5th October date remained as sacrosanct as it is invariable, especially after the Supreme Court judgment of 11th of July, 2024, and the judgement of the Justice I. P. C. Igwe of Rivers State High Court.”
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