Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said with the conduct of the local government election in the State on Saturday, the coast is now clear to end the state of emergency in the state, which he said would expire on September 18.
Despite the controversy that marked the August 30 Local Government Council election, Wike hailed residents of the state and the State electoral body for what he described as a peaceful election.
Earlier reports from the LGAs monitored by THISDAY including PHALGA, Obio/Akpor, Ogu/Bolo, Khana, Eleme, Oyigbo, Akuku-Toru, Ahoada East, Okrika, Tai, Gokana, Abua/Odual and Degema local government areas, voting commenced between 10.30am and 11.30 am in polling units that materials have arrived.
It was observed that there was a general peaceful atmosphere with security on ground in all the wards and units monitored. However, voter apathy was also observed as those who came out to vote were few, as compared to the number of registered voters, while others went about their businesses.
Markets visited, including the ever-busy Mile 3 and Creek Road markets, in Obio/Akpor and PHALGA, respectively, showed some traders open for business. Also, in the majority of the streets and major roads, young people of voting age were sighted playing ball.
Meanwhile, during the voting exercise, Wike expressed the optimism that by September 18, this year, the emergency rule will be lifted, noting that all suspended elected government officers would be restored back to their positions.
Wike stated this while speaking with journalists shortly after casting his vote at his polling unit 007, Ward 9, Rumueprikom in Obio/Akpor local government area of the state. He mentioned that with the conduct of the local government elections, the coast is now clear to end the state of emergency in the state.
Speaking on the turnout of voters to the polls, he said “That means that people identify with the election and people are also worried that there are not elected people at the grassroots. So, today is the opportunity for them to choose who will represent them at the local government level from the councillors to the chairmanship position.
“I have to say this, I watched your outfit particularly when they said there is apathy. That is not correct. We should have the experience of Nigerian voters in elections. So, when you go to the polling point by 9, you expect people to be out by that time, that’s not the usual case.
I only expect that you go to the rural areas like the Etche, Ikwerre, Emuoha, Abodua, like Ahoada East, Ahoada West LGAs and see what is going on. We have about 7000 polling units and you just go and take 2 polling units in the commercial city that you know, that there are no residents there and then you judge that there is apathy but you see what has happened there now”.
Wike commended security agencies and RSIEC for a nonviolence election in the state. “Look at the security agencies, you haven’t heard of any violence, you’ve not heard of carrying of the ballot boxes, you see election materials are where people are casting their votes, commend them!
“By the time the election is closed, you will see the number of people. So, we are very happy that this election at the end of the day has been conducted, very peacefully and successfully”.
Speaking further on the emergency in the State, the FCT Minister stressed: “I do know that on 18th of September, the State of emergency would expire and then, that would mean that the state Governor and State assembly will come back to their job and then, we will have a representative at the grassroots level.
“Remember the supreme court and if the LG election was not conducted, it would mean that there is no representative at the grassroot level which will not be acceptable by the People of Rivers State. So, having done this, the coast is clear for the State of emergency to be lifted. It means that the LG has representatives, the state government has its own representative. So, we are good to go”, Wike added.
Also, the State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-EteIbas (Rtd), has expressed satisfaction with the orderly conduct of Saturday’s LG elections, heralding it as a decisive and positive step toward restoring full democratic governance at the grassroots level.
Vice Admiral Ibas, who monitored the electoral process across several local government areas, commended the conduct of voters and election officials, which he said created a calm and secure atmosphere for the exercise.
The Administrator’s monitoring tour included stops at the Emohua Council Secretariat, the Okporowo/Ogbakiri community, Igbu Ogbo village in Ahoada East, and Ogbunuabali town in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, where he observed proceedings and interacted with citizens.
Speaking with Journalists in Port Harcourt, the State Administrator described the serene environment at the polling units as clear indicators that the people of Rivers State are eager to reclaim and participate in grassroots governance.
“I am very happy with what I have witnessed today. The process has been notably peaceful, from the significant turnout to the orderly conduct of both voters and election officials. 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.”
He further confirmed that situation reports from across the state’s 23 Local Government Areas corroborated his firsthand observations, pointing to a smooth, credible, and largely incident-free exercise.
“Generally, the situation has been calm and seamless across the state. We have not received any major negative reports, which is a testament to the collective desire for peace and normalcy,” he noted.
Emphasising the significance of the election, Vice Admiral Ibas stressed that the people of Rivers have shown their desire to elect a legitimate leadership that they can identify with at the local level. He insisted that the successful poll was in direct alignment with the primary objective of his mandate to stabilize the state and return it to democracy.
“Certainly, all indigenes of Rivers State want and deserve grassroots leadership they can call their own. That is what this process represents. For me, facilitating this foundational tier of democracy is a core objective of my mandate: to put the state back on its stable, democratic path and to empower its people”, Vice Admiral Ibas added.
Also speaking after casting his vote at his Unit 15, Ward 1 Obio/Akpor LGA, suspended Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, said the election process was smooth and commended the electoral umpire for conducting a transparent election.
Amaewhule lauded the professionalism demonstrated by officials that conducted the poll, expressing optimism that results of the exercise would be a true reflection of expectations of candidates and the electorate.
He said: “Everything went smoothly. Those who are here to conduct the elections are very professional. I’m really impressed with the way RSIEC has conducted the election. People are on the queue, no fighting, no struggling, no snatching of ballot boxes.
“People in this unit are very conscious and they know the importance of this process. I believe at the end of the day, candidates who are participating would be satisfied with this process. We pray at the end of the day; election results will be announced and they will reflect the wishes of the people.”
He, however, expressed delight in the elections and commended the electorate for their interest in participation.
Also, the Minority Leader of the Federal House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda has commended RSIEC for the smooth process of the election. He gave the commendation shortly after he had cast his vote at polling Unit 11, Ward 5, Elelenwo, in Obio/Akpor.
Chinda described the Saturday chairmanship and councillors’ polls as one of the best conducted in the state in recent times.
He expressed: “We thank God the turnout is very encouraging. It shows that people are actually interested in what is happening. We have also seen that the place is peaceful and the entire place is secured.
“I think for now, one can judge it as one of the best elections in recent time we have had. I give kudos to RSIEC chairman, members of staff and RSIEC.”
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, Dr. Michael Odey, had earlier stated that while results will be counted at the polling units, winners will only be announced at the RSIEC office after final collation. As at the time of this report, there is expectation that the result would be declared today (Sunday).
It was observed that about 17 political parties participated in the elections.
Participating parties include; Accord Party (AC), Action Alliance (AA), Action Democratic Party (ADP), Action Peoples Party (APP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), All Progressives Congress (APC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Boot Party (BP), Labour Party (LP), National Rescue Movement (NRM), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Youth Progressive Party (YPP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
Blessing Ibunge
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