Fubara Regains Control As APP Sweeps 22 Out Of 23 Local Govt Seats In Rivers 

Port Harcourt, Rivers State- Governor Siminalayi Fubara has reasserted his control over the local government structure in Rivers State, as candidates loyal to him, running under the Action Peoples Party (APP), secured victory in 22 out of the 23 chairmanship elections.

The results were declared by Justice Adolphus Enebeli, the Chief Election Officer of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, during an announcement in Port Harcourt on Saturday night.

The results were announced by the Chief Election Officer of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, Justice Adolphus Enebeli, in Port Harcourt on Saturday night.

He noted that the outcome of the final chairmanship seat in Etche Local Government Area remains pending due to issues yet to be resolved.

The victory comes after months of political tension between Fubara and former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike.

Wike had briefly taken control of the local government structure after his loyalists dominated the controversial PDP congress last month.

However, Fubara responded by encouraging his supporters to defect to APP and contest the local government elections.

Despite the withdrawal of Wike’s loyalists and security concerns during the election, including sporadic violence and the absence of police at polling units, Fubara’s faction pushed ahead with the vote.

Both the PDP and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have expressed concerns over the election process and warned against declaring final results, particularly in areas where irregularities were reported.

At a separate press conference on Saturday, Victor Giadom, APC Chairman for the South-South, stated that the party boycotted the election due to conflicts with existing laws.

“The entire process of the local government election in Rivers State violates the laws of the land. If the process is conducted lawfully, my party will participate,” he said.

Tony Okocha, former Chairman of the APC Caretaker Committee in Rivers, also cautioned against declaring the election results.

“We are baffled that despite receiving the court judgment, Governor Siminalayi Fubara forced his way into the RSIEC premises and chased away police officers assigned to ensure compliance,” Okocha said.

“We warn against any attempt to declare fictitious individuals as elected chairmen in the local government areas. Doing so would undoubtedly lead to chaos and unrest. The governor’s efforts to install his loyalists in the councils will not succeed.”

Meanwhile, Rivers PDP Chairman Aaron Chukwuemeka warned that announcing the results could trigger violence.

“We cannot support or promote lawlessness, even though we are the ruling party in Rivers State,” he said. “Court judgments must be respected; we cannot selectively obey court orders. Any attempt to announce results will invite violence, and we will resist it, as no legitimate election took place on October 5th, 2024, as mandated by the courts.”

Earlier, supporters of Wike had protested against the election, calling it illegal.