Live Updates: Rivers State Local Government Election Begins as Fubara, Wike Test Political Strength
The Supreme Court's declaration of autonomy for local governments in Nigeria has led to governors conducting local government elections in their states, including four states: Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Benue, and Jigawa.
There is a special focus in Rivers, where the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the ruling party in the state, withdrew from participation. The party in focus is the All People's Party (APP). The All Progressives Congress (APP) is also said to be in the race.
Source: Twitter
APP wins 22 out of 23 chairmanship posts in Rivers LG poll
The Action Peoples Party (APP) has been declared the winner of 22 of the 23 local government elections held in Rivers state on Saturday, October 5.
Justice Adolphus Enebeli, Chief Election Officer of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), announced the results in Port Harcourt, noting that the outcome in Etche Local Government Area is pending due to ongoing collation of results.
Police disrupt election in Rivers
Police in Rivers have been alleged to have disrupted local government elections in Elekahia Primary School in Port Harcourt City LG.
According to the report, the security operatives arrived in 21 Hilux patrol vans and fired teargas to scatter voters and officials of the RSIEC.
It was also alleged that the heavily armed police officers ordered the RSIEC to remove their vests and vacate the venue.
See the video here:
Protest in Rivers amidst LG election
Rivers' local government election has experienced another fresh protest amid the electoral process in the state.
PDP members loyal to the former governor Nyesom Wike were said to have stage following Governor Siminalayi Fubara's failure to comply with the directives of the court.
Some APC supporters were said to be mobilising to join the PDP protesters in the ongoing demonstration in the state.
APP chairman commends Rivers LG election
The chairman of the APP said that the state's local government election was peaceful.
See the video of his comment here:
Jonathan cautions Wike, Fubara
Goodluck Jonathan, the former president of Nigeria, has urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, to exercise caution over local government election in the state.
The former president also called on the National Judicial Commission to address the conflict of judgment emerging on the election.
Jonathan maintained that Rivers is the gateway to the Niger Delta region while describing the political upheavals in the region to that of the old western region.
See his full statement here:
People carry canes to polling units
The people heard that there would be no police presence in the election, so they coordinated to provide. In a particular polling unit, I noticed some people carrying canes.
See the video here:
Protest breaks out in Rivers amid election
Hundreds of stakeholders opposed to the conduct of the local government elections in Rivers State have trooped to the streets to protest Governor Siminialayi Fubara's decision to proceed with the controversial exercise.
The stakeholders, mostly chieftains and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to the Minister of the FCT, Chief Nyesom Wike, first gathered at the Polo Club in Yenagoa before embarking on the protest.
Panic as thugs burn AKISIEC office in Akwa Ibom
Few hours to the commencement of the local government election in Akwa Ibom, hoodlums have razed the State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC) office in Ibiatuk, Ibiono Ibom local government area.
According to The Nation, Akwa Ibom Police Public Relations officer ASP Timfon John, who confirmed the incident, however, said no life was lost and electoral materials were not affected.
Court can't stop police from Rivers LG election
An analyst on Channels TV has said that the court cannot stop the police from discharging their duties in the Rivers state local government election.
See his response here:
RISIEC commended by candidate
Caretaker Committee Chairman of Port Harcourt LGA and (Chairmanship candidate of the APP) commends RSIEC after casting his vote at Ward 18, units 14 and 15.
See the video here:
Atiku speaks on Rivers LG election
Atiku Abubakar, the former vice president, has described the Saturday, October 5, local government election in Rivers state as a beacon of hope for the people of the state.
The PDP 2023 presidential candidate then called on the people of the state to come out in their numbers to participate in the election.
See Atiku's full statement here:
People out in Ikoku area of Port Harcourt
This is what the Ikoku area of Mile 3 in Port Harcourt looks like this morning ahead of the Rivers LG polls.
See the video here:
Accreditation begins in Ikoku
Accreditation and voting begin at the Ikoku area (units 14 and 15) in Port Harcourt City (Ward 18).
See the video here:
RISIEC distributes electoral material
The RSIEC Commissioner munotonye says that sensitive materials have moved to various LGAs.
See the video here:
Voters turn out in Port Harcourt
Voters are waiting for the arrival of materials at a polling unit in Port Harcourt.
See the video here:
NSCDC to provide security in Rivers
The NSCDC is expected to provide security for the Rivers LG elections after police authorities said they won't be doing so in line with a court verdict.
This came amid the controversies between the Rivers state governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Inspector General of Police.
See the report here:
RISIEC confirms election will hold
Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) confirms local government elections will proceed as scheduled on October 5th, 2024, despite police withdrawal due to a court order.
According to Channels TV, RSIEC cites its law and a High Court judgment to assert its authority to conduct the elections.
