Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, has indicated that suspended Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, will return to office on September 18. Wike made the disclosure while voting during Saturday’s local government elections in Rivers, adding that the outcome of the polls has paved the way for lifting the state of emergency earlier declared in the state.
The elections, conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) across 23 local government areas and 319 wards, were marred by reports of widespread voter apathy, late arrival of election materials, and missing original result sheets.
Low turnout, missing materials
Although rural communities recorded moderate participation, many polling units in urban centers, including Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor, witnessed a notably low voter turnout. As of 10:00 a.m., materials had not arrived in several wards in Emohua, Obio/Akpor, and other LGAs due to logistics bottlenecks. Electoral officers were reportedly still sorting materials at Registration Area Centres, delaying commencement of voting.
Observers also criticized RSIEC’s decision not to deploy the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), a device used to enhance transparency in elections. In some wards, particularly in Ikwerre, Khana, and Opobo/Nkoro—Governor Fubara’s home LGA—voters and party agents expressed frustration over the absence of original result sheets.
PDP candidates defend process
Despite the hitches, several Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the polls. Obio/Akpor chairmanship candidate, Hon. Dr. Gift Worlu, described the turnout as “a testament to the incredible campaign” of the PDP. He pledged to run a people-centered administration if elected.
Similarly, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, praised the elections as peaceful and more organized than past exercises, insisting that there was no evidence of voter intimidation. Port Harcourt City chairmanship candidate, Sir Allwell Ihunda, dismissed claims of voter apathy, stressing that his achievements in his first term would secure his re-election.
Wike reacts
After casting his vote at Ward 9, Rumuepirikom in Obio/Akpor LGA, Wike hailed the peaceful conduct of the exercise. He noted that the election of new local representatives had created conditions for the lifting of the state of emergency.
“I am very happy. It means that people identify with the election. You have not heard of any violence or ballot box snatching. Electoral materials are present, people are casting their votes, and the process is going on peacefully. That’s what matters,” Wike said.
He further stated: “So, having done this, the coast is clear for the state of emergency to be lifted. The local government now has representatives, the state government has its own elected officials, so we are good to go.”
Wike, however, criticized the non-usage of BVAS but maintained that the peaceful nature of the exercise was evidence of democratic progress in Rivers State.
Political undertones
Beyond the elections, Wike’s remarks carried broader political significance. His confirmation that Governor Fubara would be reinstated on September 18 suggests that the political crisis in Rivers may soon be easing. The standoff had triggered a state of emergency and heightened tensions between political factions.
