The political crisis in Rivers State shows no signs of abating following the recent local government elections conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), which have sparked further turmoil in the state.
Despite opposition from loyalists of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the election proceeded on Saturday under the directive of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Wike’s supporters within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had vowed to boycott the polls, citing a recent Federal High Court ruling in Abuja.
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court had ruled that RSIEC failed to meet the mandatory 90-day notice requirement before setting the election date. As a result, the court barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from providing the voters’ register for the election and prohibited the Inspector General of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) from providing security.
This ruling followed a lawsuit filed by the Rivers State chapter of the APC, challenging RSIEC’s decision to hold the election on October 5.
Governor Fubara Defies Court Order
Despite the court’s judgment, Governor Fubara insisted the election would proceed as planned, a move that further escalated political tensions. Some stakeholders criticized the governor’s defiance, while others, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, backed his decision.
RSIEC also disregarded the legal ruling, stating that it had access to the voters’ register, contradicting INEC’s stance.
Thuggery and Violence Mar Polls
The election was marred by violence in certain areas, with reports of political thugs disrupting the process. Hours before the polls began, suspected arsonists detonated explosives at the APC secretariat in Port Harcourt, damaging parts of the building. APC caretaker committee chairman, Chief Tony Okocha, accused Governor Fubara’s supporters of orchestrating the attack.
In Rumuepirikom, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area—Wike’s hometown—gunfire erupted, scaring residents away from voting. Armed men reportedly arrived ahead of the election, warning people to stay indoors. Similar violence was reported in Igwuruta, Ikwerre Local Government Area, where two people sustained gunshot wounds as Wike’s loyalists allegedly attempted to enforce the court judgment.
Fubara Tightens Grip on Local Government Structure
The ongoing political crisis in Rivers State has its roots in an alleged attempt by Wike to retain control of the state’s political structure following his eight-year tenure as governor. Earlier this year, lawmakers loyal to Wike extended the terms of the previous local government chairmen by six months, but Governor Fubara overturned this decision, appointing caretaker chairmen for all 23 local government areas.
Ahead of the election, Fubara directed his supporters to run under the Action Peoples Party (APP), distancing himself from Wike’s influence in the PDP. RSIEC announced on Saturday night that APP had secured chairmanship victories in 22 of the 23 local government areas, cementing Fubara’s control of the state’s local government structure ahead of future elections.
APC Rejects Election Results
The APC swiftly rejected the election and its results, maintaining that no legitimate election took place in Rivers State. The party’s publicity secretary, Ikenga Chibike, called the outcome a “mirage” and a “cooked-up result,” insisting that the Federal High Court ruling rendered the entire process illegal.
“As far as the APC is concerned, there was no election on Saturday. The law remains the law, and RSIEC must follow due process if it wants to conduct a proper election,” Chibike said.
He added that the party boycotted the election to respect the court’s judgment, which declared all actions taken by RSIEC up to that point “null and void.”
