Eligible voters in Rivers State on Saturday trooped out to elect local government chairpersons and councillors across the state’s 23 councils, in polls organised by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
The exercise, conducted in 6,866 polling units across 319 wards, is set to replace the council administrators appointed in April 2025. It also came six months after the Supreme Court nullified the October 5, 2024, council elections conducted by the same electoral body.
Monitoring by Channels Television showed that voting was largely peaceful in Port Harcourt, Obio Akpor, Abonnema, and other areas, though delays in the arrival of materials stalled accreditation in some polling units, especially in Emohua LGA.
At Ward 13, Unit 06 in Aluu, Ikwerre LGA, voting was underway by 10:30 am, while in Tai LGA, all polling units were clustered at the Koroma Campus of the Federal University of Environment and Technology.
Wike: “Coast Clear for End of Emergency Rule”
Minister of the FCT and former Rivers governor, Nyesom Wike, cast his vote at Rumepirikom, Ward 9, Unit 007, Obio/Akpo LGA around 11:15 am.
Wike described the exercise as peaceful and credible, adding that the successful conduct of the elections paved the way for the lifting of the emergency rule in the state.
“With the council elections done, local government now has its representatives, the state has its elected representatives. The coast is clear for the state of emergency to be lifted,” he said.
He dismissed concerns over the non-use of BVAS, stressing that voters were participating without reports of violence or ballot snatching.
Ibas: “Credible Results Assured”
The Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral (Rtd.) Ibok-Ete Ibas, also hailed the polls as a milestone in restoring grassroots democracy.
After monitoring voting in several LGAs, Ibas told reporters in Port Harcourt that he was impressed with both voter turnout and the conduct of election officials.
“I am very happy with what I witnessed today. The process has been notably peaceful. I am confident we will have a credible set of results that the state will be proud of,” he said.
He added that situation reports from across the state indicated a largely incident-free exercise, reflecting the desire of Rivers people to elect local leaders of their choice.
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Security and Counting
The Police Public Relations Officer in Rivers, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed that no case of electoral violence had been reported, assuring that security arrangements remained tight throughout the state.
Sorting and counting of votes began in many polling units around 2 pm.
