Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, on Saturday hinted that the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, would be reinstated on Sept. 18, adding that the coast was now clear for the lifting of the emergency rule declared in the state.
Wike gave the assurance shortly after casting his vote at about 11 a.m. in Unit 007, Ward 9, Rumuepirikom, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, during the Rivers Local Government elections conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
“I am very happy. It means that people identify with the election. You have not heard of any violence or ballot box snatching. Electoral materials are present, people are casting their votes, and the process is going on peacefully. That’s what matters.
“So, having done this, the coast is clear for the state of emergency to be lifted. The local government now has representatives, the state government has its own elected officials, so we are good to go,” Wike said.
The polls were held across the 319 wards and 23 LGAs of the state but recorded voter apathy, late arrival of materials and reports of missing result sheets. Some observers also raised concerns about the non-usage of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
As at 10 a.m., election materials had yet to arrive in several polling units in Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt City, Emohua and other LGAs due to logistics challenges faced by RSIEC. Markets also opened partially as many residents defied the restriction of movement order issued by the police.
In Ward 5 of Emohua LGA and some units in Ikwerre, Khana, Obio/Akpor and even Opobo/Nkoro, voters and party agents protested the absence of original result sheets. In Elelewo, Unit 18, Ward 5, PDP agent, Nyebuchi Chinda, attributed the delay in the process to manual distribution of materials by electoral officers.
Despite the challenges, some candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) expressed satisfaction. Chairmanship candidate for Obio/Akpor LGA, Hon. Dr. Gift Worlu, admitted late arrival of materials but described the turnout as a sign of public support.
“It is better it came late than never,” Worlu said. “We are happy that our people are out here performing their civic duty. This is a testament to the incredible campaign that we ran, talking to our people about the need to unite and confront the challenges we face. I’m confident in our chances. Democracy must be defended.”
Similarly, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, representing Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency, praised RSIEC for what he called a credible election.
He said, “I have already cast my vote, hoping and praying that those who are prepared and sincerely focused on service are given the opportunity to lead. I have monitored the process closely, and everything has been peaceful. People are coming out to vote, and the process is seamless.”
In the same vein, the Chairmanship candidate for Port Harcourt City LGA, Sir Allwell Ihunda, dismissed claims of voter apathy, insisting that the process was free and fair.
“The process is credible and peaceful. I don’t believe there is voter apathy. You can see people voting. I believe I will win the election because of my performance in my first tenure. I executed projects in all 20 wards of the LGA, and the people have seen our impact,” Ihunda said.
While Wike lauded the peaceful conduct of the elections, he expressed concern over the absence of BVAS but insisted that the exercise showed growing democratic maturity in the state.
As of press time, collation of results was ongoing in several LGAs across Rivers State.
