APP candidates backed by Gov Fubara set to sweep Rivers LG poll
By Ishaya Ibrahim
The candidates of the Action Peoples Party (APP) are in a pole position to sweep the Rivers State local government election, defeating the candidates of other political parties who participated in the poll.
APP candidates took an early lead and results so far declared indicate a possible landslide.
Despite the initial fears expressed in some quarters that the election won’t hold; and that it would be marred by violence if it eventually held, the election was peaceful except for some isolated cases of violence carried out by mostly thugs.
The majority of voters who started heading to their various polling units teamed up with the officers of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and local vigilante members to provide security.
Also, it was only in a few polling units that voters didn’t cast their votes early, as some of them were seen waiting patiently for the officials of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to arrive and begin accreditation.
In the Mile 3 area of Diobu in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area (PHALGA), voting started very early and went on smoothly across the polling units.
In Unit 30, Ward 10, Npkolu Oroworukwo Town Hall, in the same PHALGA, the former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Austin Opara, was among the voters who voted shortly after the electoral officers finished accreditation.
In Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, the base of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nysom Wike, accreditation started early in most of the polling units, where the APP carried the day, defeating candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In Abua/Odual, voters also turned out in large numbers despite an early morning downpour which started shortly after distribution of election materials to the various ward.
Despite the rain lasting for almost two hours, some voters continued with the election while others trooped out immediately the rain ended.
The caretaker committee chairman of Abua/ Odual, Comrade Madighi Dickson, who voted at Omelema Primary School Ward One, expressed surprise at the impressive turn out of voters, which he described as amazing.
Also, the Acting Chairman of Rivers State local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Idionku-Ben, who voted at Okoboh Ward 5 , Unit 2, said the people were calm and voted without any incident despite the absence of the Police.
Today’s election came on the heels of a solidarity visit by Rivers State political leaders and elders to Governor Siminalayi Fubara at Government House, Port Harcourt, on Friday.
The leaders commended the governor for his doggedness and strong efforts at ensuring the smooth conduct of the election.
They also assured him of God’s continuous guidance and protection as he strives to deliver democratic dividends to Rivers people, despite distractions intended to slow down his pace.
The Rivers political leaders and elders made their position known when they paid a solidarity visit to the State Governor at Government House, Port Harcourt.
The leaders include former Governor, Sir Celestine Omehia; former Deputy Governor, Engr Tele Ikuru; Senator Lee Maeba; former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Sir Austin Opara; former Minister of Transport, Dr Abiye Sekibo; and former PDP Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus.
Speaking on behald of the group, former Governor of Rivers State, Sir Celestine Omehia, said, “We are leaders and elders of this great state, Rivers State. We are here to encourage the Governor of the State, who is also the leader, as of right, for what he has done and put in place for the conduct of the local government election. Thank God for who he is and what he has been doing for the people of Rivers State.
“We ask him that despite every other effort trying to slow down his pace, God only will give him the courage to continue.”
Sir Omehia noted that election is the exercise of the fundamental right of the people, saying the Supreme Court ruling has bestowed on Governor Fubara, like his counterparts in other states, the responsibility to conduct the local government election.
He, therefore, urged Rivers people, including those living and doing business in the State, to participate in the polls and exercise their civil rights.
He said, “Election is the exercise of the fundamental right of the people and every person in Rivers State has the right to go and vote and express his or her right.
“The court, especially the Supreme Court decision empowered him, like any other governor in Nigeria, to conduct the local government election and the local government election is local.
“It is the responsibility of the state Governor and the responsibility of all other well-meaning people of Rivers State to conduct this election.
“We are asking that every indigene of Rivers State and all those who live and do business in Rivers State should come out in their large numbers tomorrow in full support of democracy and vote for the success of the local government election.”
The former Governor said those who do not want peace in the State and want the local government election postponed, are the real enemies of the State and should be publicly declared as such.
He emphasised, “Those who don’t want peace in Rivers State are those who should be declared the enemies of Rivers State. Those who want election to be postponed tomorrow are declared enemies of Rivers State.
“Rivers State must grow, the unity and love since Rivers State was created in 1967, we are interested in exercising the democratic principles, we have always had peace. And it will be the happiness of all those, Alfred Diette-Spiff, Rufus Ada-George, Dr Peter Odili and all of us who have managed the affairs of this State to see that peace, unity and further development continue to grow in Rivers State.
“If any person thinks otherwise, those people are the enemies of Rivers State”, he declared.
