The long-anticipated local government elections in Rivers State took a dramatic turn on Saturday as suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his loyalists shunned the exercise.

Although electoral materials arrived on time in his polling unit in Ward 5, Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, the governor, who has been on suspension since March, was not sighted. Reports later indicated that he had traveled to London before the elections and had not returned.

Among those missing from the political stage were his close allies, including Chief of Staff Edison Ehie, Secretary to the State Government Dr. Tammy Danagogo, and members of the Simplified Movement. Even the 23 previously sacked chairmen aligned with him failed to participate.

Frontpagenews.ng reports that the absence of the governor and his allies underscores lingering uncertainty over his political relevance despite his reconciliation with Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and his political mentor.

APC Celebrates Sweeping Victory

The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) approved multiple parties for the polls, but the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presented only three chairmanship candidates, compared to 20 fielded by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

As anticipated, the APC, under the leadership of Chief Tony Okocha, secured a commanding 20 out of 23 chairmanship seats, while the PDP retained three strongholds: Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt City, and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni.

Wike Confident in Political Transition

After casting his ballot in Rumepirikom, Ward 9, Nyesom Wike expressed confidence that the expiration of the emergency rule on September 18 would pave the way for the governor’s reinstatement.

“The coast is clear for the state of emergency to be lifted, being that the state government has its representative and the local government has its representatives, so we are good to go,” Wike declared.

Observers Raise Concerns

Despite some reports of voter apathy, electoral malpractice, and delayed distribution of materials, the sole administrator of the state, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (retd.), praised the peaceful conduct. He called it “a step toward democratic restoration at the grassroots.”

Legal Reactions

Legal luminary Monday Ubani emphasized that Fubara, having been elected by the people, deserves to complete his constitutional mandate.

Ubani insisted, “He was elected by the people so that he can now go and complete his mandate after this local government poll.”