•Wike’s camp declares elections invalid as tensions rise amid Saturday’s violence-ridden polls
The political landscape in Rivers State remains tumultuous following the recent local government elections, with factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) rejecting the election results and promising legal challenges.
The elections, held on Saturday, were marred by violence, including explosions and gunfire, leading to claims of illegitimacy from both opposing factions.
Nyesom Wike’s faction of the PDP labeled the elections an “exercise in futility” and pledged to contest the outcomes in court.
Kenneth Yowika, the state Publicity Secretary for the PDP, stated, “We do not agree nor do we recognize if any swearing-in is taking place today or tomorrow.”
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He emphasized the party’s stance that the elections contravened a Federal High Court judgment barring their conduct.
Siminalayi Fubara, the current Governor of Rivers State, proceeded to swear in the newly elected chairmen for the 23 local government areas, despite the claims of electoral fraud.
The Action Peoples Party (APP) won a staggering 22 out of 23 chairmanship positions, with the remaining seat going to the Action Alliance.
Echoing similar sentiments, Chibuike Ikenga, the APC’s Publicity Secretary, insisted that the election’s legitimacy was compromised, stating, “We are pressing further through the courts to ensure that justice is done and seen to have been done.”
Conversely, some factions within the APC expressed satisfaction with the election results, with Chizi Enyi, Chief of Staff to the APC Chairman, declaring, “We accept the outcome and we will not litigate it,” indicating a split within the party regarding the legitimacy of the polls.
Governor Fubara addressed the newly sworn-in council chairmen, urging them to serve their constituents diligently and avoid confrontations with political adversaries.
READ ALSO: Fubara to swear in new Rivers local govt chairmen today
He stated, “Once you see yourself as an emperor, that is where the problem begins,” emphasizing the need for servant leadership.
The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) chairman, Justice Adolphus Enebeli, defended the election’s integrity, proclaiming it as a historic and credible exercise despite the earlier unrest.
Enebeli asserted, “The ballot paper in the hands of the people is stronger than arms and ammunition.”
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