Rivers voters defy threat of police withdrawal, troop out for LG polls

Amid fears of a possible breakdown of law and order following police withdrawal from the controversial local government elections in Rivers State, there was an impressive turnout of voters during the council polls.

In some polling units visited by The Guardian, it was observed that the residents conducted themselves peacefully irrespective of police absence, though there were other security personnel, including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and local security outfits.

The turnout of voters was relatively good, with long queues of residents in some areas eagerly waiting to exercise their franchise before officials of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) even set up their desks.

Monitoring also showed the early arrival of materials in some places followed by accreditation and voting.

However, some polling units in Emohua, Port Harcourt City, and Ikwerre local government areas (LGAs) were empty as voters who came out early returned home after a long wait.

There was no use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines during the polls. Checks showed that once a voter’s name was confirmed on the voters’ register, he or she would be allowed to vote. Though the Commissioner for Civic Education at RSIEC, Pst. Tamuno Tobins, had earlier announced that there would be no electronic transmission of the LG votes.

There were, however, no election materials and voting at Ward 9, Unit 7 in Obio-Akpor Council, the unit of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, who has been at odds with the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

Meanwhile, an explosion destroyed the State Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC), damaging the complex, generator house, and other valuables.

Additionally, a vigilante security personnel was killed in the Etche LGA following altercations in the area. It was also gathered that several persons sustained injuries in the Ikwerre council following sporadic shootings in the area.

However, Eleme LGA witnessed peaceful polls, though voting processes started late. Former Eleme Council Chairman, Orji Ngofa, said, “Materials were distributed to polling units by 9 am.”

In Oyigbo, Obio/Akpor, and Degema councils, accreditation and voting started late, though voter turnout was good and the process ended peacefully.

In Ward 6, Ward 2, and Ward 8, Asari Toru, peaceful elections were witnessed.

Violence in Obio-Akpor

However, men dressed in police uniforms disrupted the process in Elekahia and GRA axes in Obio-Akpor LGA, carting away electoral materials and chasing away voters and RSIEC officials with tear gas.

Additionally, Wards 15, 9, and 17 in Obio-Akpor reported missing result sheets.

Labour Party Councillorship candidate Amadi said the election was “not credible” due to the late arrival of electoral materials and result sheets.

Electoral officials in Asari-Toru praised the peaceful conduct of the elections.

“The elections have been hitch-free,” said Mr. Opuenebo Kingdom, Ward 2’s presiding officer. “We’ve had no reports of violence or disruptions.”

Also, security personnel were visibly present in Asari-Toru, maintaining order and ensuring the smooth conduct of the elections.

“We’re committed to ensuring the safety of voters and electoral officials,” said ASP Benson Okoro, Divisional Police Officer in Asari-Toru.

Some residents, however, expressed distrust in the electoral process. One of them, Victor Eze, said, “We know that votes do not count in this country, especially here in Rivers State. There’s no time we vote that our votes will count.”

“The one that pains me most is the 2023 election where we all voted for Peter Obi but, at the end, they gave us different results.”

Protest against polls

While the electoral process was ongoing, stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and APC loyal to the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, took to the streets, protesting against the polls and insisting that the Abuja Federal High Court judgment, which ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission and the police to steer clear from the polls, must be obeyed.

The protesters included members of the House of Representatives, Michael Chinda, among others, who chanted, “No elections, obey court order.” They also displayed placards with inscriptions such as “Fubara must obey Federal High Court Judgment.”

The protesters marched along Aba Road, causing traffic gridlock and disrupting business activities.

The APP candidate for APP in Obio-Akpor, Chijioke Ihunwo, commended RSIEC for the good conduct of the election.

He said, “The election is proceeding well, though the Nigeria police are moving around harassing and threatening voters.”

Similarly, the State APP chairman, Sunny Wokekoro, described the process as amazing and peaceful.

He said, “The process was peaceful contrary to speculations. It was amazing; the impressive turnout of voters shows people are very determined to rewrite the narratives where one or two people feel they own the state.”

Wokekoro, who voted at his unit around 10 AM, congratulated RSIEC for being timely, and precise, and ensuring election materials arrived early.

He also commended the state governor for allowing a level playing field.

However, Tony Okocha, Caretaker Committee Chairman of the APC, condemned the process, describing it as illegal, and
insisting that the Abuja court judgment must be obeyed.

Okocha also condemned the explosion that rocked the party’s secretariat hours before the elections.

He said, “APC is under attack in Rivers State… We want to tell Nigerians that we are under attack. We are being chased by un-uniformed soldiers everywhere,” Okocha said.

A strong ally of Wike, who joined the protest, Chinda said, “This morning, we have heard about the insecurity that is going on everywhere; they are fighting, so there’s no election.”