The Rivers State factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have rejected the conduct and outcome of the local government elections held on Saturday, claiming no election took place.
The PDP faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, labeled the election a “futile exercise” and vowed to challenge it in court. This reaction came as Governor Siminalayi Fubara swore in the newly elected chairmen of the 23 local government areas on Sunday at the Government House in Port Harcourt. The chairmen had earlier received certificates of return from Adolphus Enebeli, Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission.
The Action Peoples Party (APP) claimed victory in 22 of the 23 local government chairmanship positions, while the Action Alliance (AA) won one seat. The APP also secured 314 out of 319 councillorship positions.
The election, marred by explosions and gunfire, was conducted amidst a power struggle between Fubara and his predecessor, Wike. After losing control of the PDP to Wike, Fubara’s camp shifted to the APP to secure key positions.
Both PDP and APC factions loyal to Wike and Chief Tony Okocha, respectively, have maintained that the poll was illegal, pointing to a Federal High Court judgment that restrained the state government from conducting the election. They vowed to continue their legal battle.
However, the APC faction loyal to former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, expressed satisfaction with the election, saying they would not contest the results, as their party won a councillorship seat.
Governor Fubara, addressing the newly sworn-in chairmen, called for peace and urged the leaders to remain connected to the grassroots while promising democratic dividends for the people.
