Political leaders and stakeholders in Rivers State on Sunday, October 6, 2024 held a Thanksgiving service to celebrate the successful conduct and conclusion of the Local Government Councils election in the State which held on Saturday, October 5, 2024.... CLICK TO READ THE FULL NEWS HERE▶▶
The leaders and stakeholders specially celebrated what they described as the end of the political dynasty and stronghold of the former governor of the State, Mr Nyesom Wike and freeing the State from his clutches.
This was as the results of the Local Government Councils’ election showed that for the first time in nine years, new chairmen and councilors in the 23 Local Government Areas emerged that are not aligned to Wike in direct control of the grassroots in the state and also put a stop to the supporters of the Minister of the FCT from having access to power in the political structure in the State.
NNPC Careers View pictures in App save up to 80% data.
The declaration of the results of the election was on Sunday morning, celebrated in most of the Local Government headquarters and other towns as the celebrants sang songs of praises to God for making it possible for the State to witness the end of the Wike era in Rivers State.
But, some political observers were however quick to warn that it was too early in the week to celebrate as Wike being a dogged political actor could spring more surprises to may put a lie to the acclaimed victory.
In that position, they can cut the influence of the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
Ahead of the election, the former governor of the State, Mr Wike, took firm control of both the structures of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC), thereby reduce Governor Siminalayi Fubara to a leader without structures as the Minister of the FCT effectively mobilized Federal institutions in Abuja and the judiciary to derail the Local Government Councils election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) upon an order of a Federal High Court Abuja, refused to release the voters’ register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RVISEC).
Similarly, the Nigeria Police declared that it would not provide security nor partake in the election basing its decision on the same contentious court order. The position of the Nigeria police was seriously criticized by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) which described the action of the police as unconstitutional, illegal and dangerous for the nation’s democracy.
In spite of the hurdles placed ahead of the election not to hold, the Rivers Governor, Sir Fubara insisted on proceeding with the conduct of the election based on the judgement of the Supreme Court which held that Local Government Councils can only be administered by elected officials.
