Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara officially swore in the newly elected chairmen of the 23 local government areas on Sunday, just hours after they received their certificates of return from the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) Chairman, Adolphus Enebeli.
News About Nigeria reports that the ceremony occurred at the Government House Executive Council Chamber in Port Harcourt, following an election marked by heightened tensions and isolated incidents of violence.
The Action Peoples Party (APP) claimed victory in 22 out of the 23 local government chairmanship positions, with the remaining seat secured by an Action Alliance candidate.
The election, held on Saturday, witnessed sporadic gunfire, bomb explosions, and protests in various parts of the state.
Despite pre-election concerns, the turnout across the state’s 23 local government areas was notably high.
Polling commenced early in many locations, although there was an absence of police security at most stations.
This lack of police presence stemmed from a Federal High Court order in Abuja, which barred the police and other security agencies from providing security during the election.
The court ruling also prohibited the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the 2023 voter register to RSIEC, intensifying pre-existing tensions between Governor Fubara’s administration and supporters of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Earlier in the day, supporters of Wike held a protest in Port Harcourt, voicing opposition to the local government elections.
The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, however, clarified that it had received the voter register from INEC last year, despite the court restrictions.
