Violence Erupts At Rivers LG Poll: Explosions And Gunfire Reported, APP Sweeps 22 Councils

Violence Erupts At Rivers LG Poll: Explosions And Gunfire Reported, APP Sweeps 22 CouncilsJustice Adolphus Enebeli (retd.), Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), has declared 22 chairmanship candidates from the Action Peoples Party (APP) as winners of the October 5, 2024 local government elections. Enebeli announced that the candidates secured the majority of valid votes in two-thirds of their respective wards across 22 local government areas (LGAs). The results for the chairmanship of Etche LGA were withheld due to the area’s size, which delayed the collation process.

The results, announced in Port Harcourt, were witnessed by various stakeholders, including members of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, civil society groups, journalists, and returning officers. Enebeli highlighted the large voter turnout despite the rain and affirmed that the election was conducted smoothly, fairly, and without violence.

Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Austin Okpara, congratulated the state for a peaceful election, criticizing those who boycotted the poll for selfish reasons. Many candidates who were once part of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) contested under the APP, with Chijioke Ihunwo, the APP candidate for Obio/Akpor LGA, commending the RSIEC for a credible process.

However, no election took place in the hometown of former Governor and current FCT Minister Nyesome Wike. In some areas, such as Ward 9 in Obio/Akpor, RSIEC officials and materials were missing, leading to uncertainty among voters.

Violence erupted at Elekahia Primary School in Port Harcourt City LGA when armed men, including some in police uniforms, disrupted the polling process. The attackers fired tear gas, drove off with election materials, and caused chaos among voters and officials.

Twin explosions also occurred at the All Progressives Congress (APC) secretariat on Aba Road and the Obio/Akpor Local Government secretariat. Both explosions were swiftly addressed by police units, who collected evidence for further investigation. The Rivers APC condemned the attacks, calling for thorough investigations to apprehend the culprits.

In a separate development, protests led by supporters of both Nyesome Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara took place. Wike’s supporters, citing a court judgment barring police participation in the poll, insisted that no election should take place. Meanwhile, Fubara’s supporters rallied in favor of the elections, creating a tense atmosphere in the state.

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