… As Jackrich, Orolosama, others commend peaceful polls
By: Felix Ikpotor
The Action Peoples Party, APP, has won 22 out of the 23 chairmanship positions in the just concluded local council polls in Rivers State.
Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Justice Adolphus Enebeli, who declared the results Saturday evening said the APP won 22 of the chairmanship elections so far declared except Etche which he said collation of results was still ongoing.
He said the candidates so declared, scored the majority of valid votes cast in the election in two-third of their respective wards in the 22 Local Government Areas.
Justice Enebeli however, said result of the chairmanship position for Etche Local Government Area was stood down by the commission, because of its expansive landscape with its 19 wards, which slowed down the collation process.
The results declaration was witnessed by members of Inter-Party Advisory Council from 18 political parties, leaders of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), civil society groups, returning officers, journalists and other key stakeholders.
Justice Enebeli stated that the polls closed at 3:00pm, and witnessed a large turnout of voters who defiled the rain, adding that thereafter, the results started trickling in.
He emphasised that the results of Etche Local Government Area chairmanship seat, and the 319 councillorship positions across the state will be announced on a later date after collation is concluded.
The RSIEC Chairman stated that the election was conducted in all 6,866 units in the 319 political wards with 18 out of 19 political parties participating.
The Chairman, who acknowledged the enthusiasm of the electorate who came out in their numbers to vote candidates of their choice.
He said, “It is, therefore, heartwarming that I stand before you all today to affirm the smooth, safe, 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.”
Justice Enebeli also commended political parties and Rivers people for their commitment to the election process.
He added, “Polls were closed across the State by 3:00pm 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 historic election.”
“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 wards comprising their respective local government areas of Rivers State are hereby returned as elected Chairmen or Chairwomen”.
Justice Enebeli, explained that details or statistics of the respective scores of candidates shall be published on the website of the commission and the media, and made available to the public and all contesters.
Enebeli saluted the patriotism, resolve, resilience and support of the overwhelming majority of Rivers people and residents which culminated in the success of the exercise.
Names of the winners for the championship positions so declared included: Vincent Reuben Obu for Abua/Odual; Chibudom Ezu for Ahoada-East; Iyekor Ikporo for Ahoada-West; and Mrs. Tonye Briggs-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.
Also declared as winners are: Monday Dumiye for Gokana; Isreal Abosi for Ikwerre; Martins Nwigbo for Khana; Amb Chijioke Ihunwo for Obio/Akpor; and Prince Isaac Umejuru for Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni.
For Ogu/Bolo, Ishmael Oforibika was declared as winner; with 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.
Meanwhile, some Rivers stakeholders have commended the peaceful conduct of the polls.
A former governorship candidate of National Rescue Movement, NRM, in Rivers State, Sobomabo Jackrich said the elections went peacefully despite the negative impression created in some quarters prior to the election.
He said: “As you can see the election is going on peacefully as against the negative impression created by some persons as you see the place was peaceful and the people came out to vote candidates of their choice”.
Jackrich, used the medium to advice Governor Siminalayi Fubara not to be deterred by the threats and distraction which took over the state prior to the election urging him to continue to do what is right for the entire state and not a section.
Also speaking with journalists after casting his vote, Caretaker Committee Chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Area, Orolosama Amachree, said the massive turnout and peaceful nature of the nature was because the right persons were presented for the elections.
He used the medium to urge godfathers and political leaders to avoid imposition of candidates on the electorates to avoid causing chaos during elections.
Orolosama, also commended the peaceful conducts of youths and voters in the area who came out peacefully to cast their votes in the absence of the Nigerian Police who backed out of the election.
The CTC chairman criticised the police for allowing itself to be used by politicians against the collective interest of the people they were supposed to protect.
On his part, paramount head of George Ama in Buguma, HRH, Datonye Igbanibo George described the conduct of the elections as one of the best days for Nigeria’s democracy.
He commended Governor Fubara for ensuring that elections are conducted at the local level.
” I thank the Rivers State Government for doing the needful by complying with the judgement of the Supreme Court and giving RSIEC the enabling environment for local council elections to be conducted.”
He praised the chairman-elect for his LGA, Sule Amachree as being the best for the area, saying he understands the terrain and exhibited his leadership quality when he was education secretary of the area by facilitating the employment over 200 persons from the area.
The traditional ruler also used the medium to advice other chairmen who emerged from the election to be transparent to their people and use the resources of the councils to serve the people by providing basic amenities for them.
