Residents of Rivers State headed to the polls on October 5 to elect their grassroots representatives in a highly contentious local government election. The Action Peoples Party (APP) won 22 out of 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
However, the result for Etche LGA remains pending as collation continues.
Announcing the results in Port Harcourt, Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) Chief Electoral Officer Adolphus Enebeli confirmed that the results for the 319 councillorship seats, alongside the Etche chairmanship, will be declared once the collation is complete.
Full List of Winners:
- Abua/Odual: Vincent Reuben Obu
- Ahoada-East: Chibudom Ezu
- Ahoada-West: Iyekor Ikporo
- Akuku-Toru: Hon. Mrs. Tonye Oniyide-Briggs
- Andoni: Lazarus Gogote Nteogwuile
- Asari-Toru: Sule Amachree
- Bonny: Dame Hon. Anengi Barasua Claude-Wilcox (Re-elected)
- Degema: Harry Agiriye
- Eleme: Brain Gokpa
- Emohua: David Omereji
- Etche: Ongoing Collation
- Gokana: Monday Dumiye
- Ikwerre: Israel Abosi
- Khana: Martins Nwigbo
- Obio/Akpor: Chijioke Ihunwo
- Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni: Prince Isaac Umejuru
- Ogu/Bolo: Ishmael Oforibika
- Okrika: Igwe Achese
- Omuma: Promise Reginald
- Opobo/Nkoro: Enyiada Cookey-Gam (Re-elected)
- Oyigbo: Gift Okere
- Port Harcourt: Ezebunwo Ichemati
- Tai: Matthew Nenubari Dike
Explosions and Gunshots on Election Day
Election day was marred by two explosions in the state. The first occurred around 3:00 am at the All Progressives Congress (APC) Secretariat on Aba Road, with a loud bang reported by a security guard who saw three black Toyota Hilux vans speeding away. The blast caused significant damage, destroying the gate and setting a security building on fire.
Shortly after, a second explosion rocked the Obio/Akpor Council Secretariat. Eyewitnesses reported seeing a black Toyota Hilux and a white Toyota Sienna van fleeing the scene.
Gunshots were also heard in some parts of Port Harcourt. Unidentified assailants in a black Toyota Corolla opened fire near the Wimpy area, close to the home of Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister.
Pre-Election Drama and Legal Tensions
The election capped off a tense week of political drama, with protests from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members against the conduct of the polls. Protesters had stormed the Department of State Security (DSS) office and Government House in Port Harcourt to demand fair elections.
Legal battles further complicated the lead-up to the election. Police authorities initially refused to provide security for the polls, citing a court order. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was also barred from providing the voter register to the state’s electoral body. Despite this, Governor Siminalayi Fubara pushed ahead, ensuring the elections went forward, even visiting the RSIEC office in the early hours of Friday to confront police forces.
The elections followed the Federal Government’s three-month ultimatum for states to conduct local government elections. Though APP emerged victorious, the violence and legal challenges surrounding the process have cast a shadow over the legitimacy of the results.
