The All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken over the grassroots in Rivers State with the conduct of Saturday’s local government election supervised by Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (rtd.).
Of the 23 local governments in the state, the APC fielded chairmanship candidates in 20 LGAs, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) fielded chairmanship candidates in three LGAs namely, Obio/Akpor, (home LGA of FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike), Port Harcourt City, and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA.
Even though documents of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) indicate that the All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Accord Party (AP), African Action Congress (AAC), Action People’s Party (APP), the Social Democratic Party (SDP), nominated candidates for the election only the APC fielded “strong” candidates for the election.
Governor Fubara boycotts the election
Despite the publicised reconciliation between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike all cannot be said to be well with both politicians. Governor Fubara and his team including the previously elected (and later disbanded) local government officials, Chairmen, Vice Chairmen and councilors were all conspicuously missing at the Saturday election.
In his Ward 5 polling unit, Opobo in Opobo/Nkoro LGA Governor Fubara was absent even when all arrangements were already made in expectation of the suspended governor to cast his vote. It only became apperant that he was not going to come by 3.30pm when electoral officials announced conclusion of the election. Other prominent members of Governor Fubara’s cabinet including the Chief of Staff, Government House, Rt. Hon. Edison Ogerenye Ehie, the Secretary to the Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo and other senior officials were also not seen at their various polling units.
Wike Takes Control
FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike who remains in the PDP despite serving as a minister in the APC government of President Bola Tinubu has effectively taken over the grassroots political structure in the state with the expected outcome of the LGA elections. Strategically, Wike allowed the PDP to field chairmanship candidates in key LGAs Port Harcourt city, Port Harcourt Municipal, Obio/Akpor and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, while the majority LGAs including that of Governor Fubara are primed for takeover by the APC.
While the political group, Simplified Movement loyal Governor Fubara were not seen taking part in the electioneering processes, the Renewed Hope Agenda, the socio-political of Nyesom Wike was ubiquitous throughout the election period. Wike arrive his Rumepirikom, Ward 9, Unit 007, Obio/Akpo LGA with a retinue of his aides and security where he casted his vote and passed a vote of confidence on the election. Speaking to journalists after casting his vote, Mr. Wike said, “As far as we are concerned, this election is peaceful, people are trooping out, and at the end of the day, the election has been conducted successfully and peacefully.
“I do know that by September 18, the state of emergency will expire and the state assembly will come back to their job, and we will have a government at the grassroots level
“The coast is clear for the state of emergency to be lifted, being that the state government has its representative and the local government has its representatives, so we are good to go.”
Emergency rule set to end
FACTSHEET reports that FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike had earlier announced that all were set for the revert to democratic rule in the state. He stated that the emergency rule imposed on the state by President Bola Tinubu on March 18, 2025 will come to an end on September 18, 2025.
Aloso, commenting on the election, the Sole Administrator of the state, Ibok Ette -Ibas told journalists that “I am confident that at the end of the day, we will have a credible set of results that we will all be proud of as a state,” signaling a possible conclusion of his assignment in the state.
