By Chidi Roberts
Chairman of Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd), has declared 22 chairmanship candidates of the Action Peoples Party (APP) as winners of Saturday’s Local Government Election.
The remaining one Local Government Area, Etche, has its results collation process stood down.
Justice Enebeli said it was as a result of the expansive landscape and 19 wards the area has.
The yet to be collated and announced results of Etche’s chairmanship position as well as the 319 Ward councillorship positions of the 23 Local Government Areas will be declared when the collation process is concluded.
Justice Enebeli said: “Several political parties indicated their interest to participate in the election.
“About 18 out of the registered political parties in the federation, resident in Rivers State partook in it.
“They had party primaries, candidates were screened and subsequently cleared to contest as Chairmen, Vice Chairmen and councillors from the various wards and local government areas of Rivers State.
“The commission embarked on enlightened and sensitisation campaign to educate the citizens on their democratic rights and the importance of exercising their franchise.
“In keeping with extant regulations, the commission displayed the register of voters in all the 6,866 polling units of the state while political parties embarked on campaigns to canvas votes from their supporters.
“Things were progressing smoothly until the ten-day protest that gripped the nation leading to stagnation of social, economic and political activities.
“That aside, several legal obstacles and court cases were instituted against the commission by persons and parties, in exercise of their democratic rights.
“Despite these obstacles, the commission remained unbowed and ensured that the 5th October date remained as sacrosanct as it is invariable, especially after the Supreme Court judgement of 11th of July, 2024 and the judgement of I.P.C. Igwe of Rivers State High Court.
“It is, therefore, heartening that I stand before you all today to affirm the smooth, safe and free, fair, credible and transparent, all inclusive successful, violence free and most treasured conduct of the 2024 Rivers State Local Government Council election despite all odds.
“Polls were closed across the state by 3pm today. Before then, there was large turnout of enthusiastic citizens who came out to exercise their franchise even in the midst of the heavy downpour witnessed this morning.
“Results have been trickling in since the closure of polls and the good people of Rivers State and residents have spoken through the ballots and they are in ecstatic expectation of the results of this historical election.
“The commission on behalf of the people of Rivers State salute the patriotism, the resolve, resilience and support of the overwhelming majority of Rivers State people and residents.
“After painstaking collation of results at the close of polls by our team of officials regarding the local government council elections conducted this day, the 5th of October, 2024, I declare the following candidates, having scored majority of lawful or valid votes cast in two-thirds of the respective wards comprising their respective local government areas of Rivers State, as elected Chairmen or Chairwomen.
“Therefore, I Hon Justice Adolphus Enebeli (Rtd), in my capacity as the Chairman, Chief Electoral Commissioner of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, and pursuant to the extant provisions of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Law No.2 of 2018 and all other laws enabling me in that behalf do hereby make declaration of results for the Chairmanship elections into the 23 Local Government Councils of Rivers State.”
Names of the winners of championship position so declared included: Vincent Reuben Obu for Abua/Odual; Chibudom Ezu for Ahoada-East; Mr Iyekor Ikporo for Ahoada-West and Mrs. Tonye Oniyide for Akuku-Toru.
Others are Lazarus Gogote Nteogwuile for Andoni; Dr. Sule Amachree for Asari-Toru; Dame Anengi Barasua for Bonny; Dr. Harry Agiriye for Degema; Chief Brain Gokpa for Eleme and David Omereji for Emohua.
Other winners are Monday Dumiye for Gokana; Isreal Abosi for Ikwerre, Martins Nwigbo for Khana; Ambassador Chijioke Ihunwo for Obio/Akpor, and Prince Isaac Umejuru for Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni.
For Ogu/Bolo, Ishmael Oforibika was declared winner, with Dr. Igwe Achese for Okrika; Promise Reginald for Omuma; Enyiada Cookey-Gam for Opobo/Nkoro; Gift Okere for Oyigbo; Ezebunwo Ichemati for Port Harcourt and Matthew Nenubari Dike for Tai Local Government Councils.
