Fubara swears in new Rivers LG chairmen this afternoon
By Emma Ogbuehi
Less than 24 hours after the result of the Rivers State Local Government Council election, which held on Saturday, October 6, was announced, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, will this afternoon swear in the 23 chairmen declared winners.
This was announced by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Wenike Danagogo, in a statement he signed.
Dr. Danagogo said the chairmen would be sworn in at 4 pm.
The statement read: “His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, the Governor of Rivers State, will today, Sunday, October 6, 2024, swear in the newly elected Council Chairmen at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Port Harcourt, by 4pm.
“The newly elected Chairmen, along with one (1) guest each, are expected to be seated by 3:30 pm.”
TheNiche has earlier reported that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) announced that the Action Peoples Party (APP) won all the 23 chairmanship seats in the election.
Recall the election took place yesterday, amid gunshots, bomb explosions and protests in some parts of the state.
The development, which did not fall short of pre-election predictions, left many residents worried, especially as a result of minimal presence of the police across all polling areas.
However, despite the widespread fears of violence across 23 LGAs, the turnout was substantial and the poll largely peaceful.
In many areas, the exercise kicked off early without the presence of the police following the supply of sensitive and non-sensitive materials by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
The police had earlier said they were not providing security for the polls given a court order restraining them and other security agencies from providing security during the poll.
READ ALSO: Fubara trumps Wike in Rivers LG Poll as APP wins 22 out of 23 chairmanship positions
A Federal High Court in Abuja had prevented the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the 2023 voter register to RSIEC. It also stopped the Inspector-General of Police and Department of State Services (DSS) from providing security for the exercise.
The matter pitched the camp of Governor Siminalyi Fubara and Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, against each other, thereby heightening tension in the state.
However, RSIEC said it had received a copy of the voter register from INEC since last year.