Rivers Local Government Elections: APP, AA, and Other Parties Secure Councilorship Wins

Rivers State’s recent elections witness a significant victory for the Action People’s Party, while other political groups also make their mark

The Rivers local government elections held recently have culminated in a decisive outcome, with the Action People’s Party (APP) claiming 22 out of 23 chairmanship seats. The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) awarded certificates of return to the newly elected local government chairmen, confirming the results of the elections that took place amid initial controversies and concerns.

The elections were conducted across all 23 local government areas in Rivers State and were reported to be largely peaceful, showcasing the electorate’s commitment to the democratic process. RSIEC Chairman, Adolphus Enebeli, praised the conduct of the voters, emphasizing that the absence of police protection did not hinder the election’s integrity, demonstrating that “ballot papers in the hands of the electorates are stronger than arms and ammunition.”

In a departure from the usual dominance of a single party, the results revealed that while the APP emerged victorious, the Action Alliance also secured a seat, adding diversity to the local government leadership. Alongside the chairmanship positions, the Rivers local government elections saw the APP achieve dominance in the councilorship races, winning 314 of the 319 available seats. Meanwhile, other parties like the All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Young Progressives Party (YPP), and Boot Party each secured one seat in various local government areas.

As the newly elected officials prepare to assume office, Governor Siminalayi Fubara is expected to oversee their swearing-in, marking the beginning of their three-year tenure. The successful outcome of the Rivers local government elections reflects the evolving political landscape in the state and the electorate’s desire for representation across multiple political factions.