The All Progressives Congress (APC) has vehemently rejected the recently concluded local government elections in Rivers State, which were conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) under the directive of Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The elections, held on Saturday, have sparked widespread controversy, with accusations of violence and allegations of electoral malpractice dominating the aftermath.
The APC, alongside its loyalists, had raised serious objections prior to the election, citing a ruling from the Federal High Court in Abuja. The court, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, had declared that RSIEC violated fundamental electoral provisions by failing to issue the mandatory 90-day notice before setting the election date. The court had also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the voter register to RSIEC and prohibited the Inspector General of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) from providing security during the polls.
Despite these legal barriers, Governor Fubara remained adamant that the elections would proceed as scheduled. This defiance not only provoked the APC but also raised concerns among political stakeholders in the state. While some, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, supported Fubara's decision, others criticized the governor’s determination to bypass the court’s ruling, describing it as a brazen disregard for due process.
The election day itself was far from peaceful. Violent clashes erupted across the state, with notable incidents in Port Harcourt, where suspected political thugs detonated explosives at the APC secretariat. Chief Tony Okocha, chairman of the state’s APC caretaker committee, pointed fingers at Governor Fubara’s supporters, accusing them of orchestrating the attack.
In other parts of the state, such as Rumuepirikom Community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, heavy gunfire was reported. Similarly, in Igwuruta, Ikwerre Local Government Area, two individuals were injured as loyalists of former Governor Nyesom Wike sought to enforce the Federal High Court ruling that had barred the elections. The violence underscored the deep political divisions and tensions in Rivers State.
The political crisis in Rivers State is deeply rooted in the ongoing power struggle between Governor Fubara and former Governor Nyesom Wike. After serving two terms as governor, Wike is widely believed to be seeking to maintain his influence over the political landscape of the state. This alleged ambition has pitted him against Governor Fubara, who has worked to consolidate his authority.
Earlier in the year, lawmakers loyal to Wike extended the tenure of the previous local government chairmen by six months. However, Governor Fubara swiftly reversed this decision, removing the chairmen and nominating caretaker replacements for the 23 local government areas. These nominees were later confirmed by the state House of Assembly, under the leadership of factional Speaker Victor Jumbo.
In the lead-up to the elections, Governor Fubara had instructed his loyalists to contest under the banner of the Action Peoples Party (APP), sidelining the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) due to Wike’s substantial influence within the party. Following the election, RSIEC declared the APP victorious in 22 out of 23 local government areas, a result that was swiftly rejected by the APC.
The APC’s Publicity Secretary, Ikenga Chibike, issued a scathing statement condemning the elections, labeling the results as a “cooked-up” fabrication. Chibike further argued that the APC’s boycott of the election was a direct response to the Federal High Court’s ruling, which had unequivocally declared the polls illegal. “The law remains the law,” Chibike emphasized. “It says that if RSIEC must conduct a proper election, it must follow due process. We boycotted the election to obey the Federal High Court judgment.”
As the political battle lines are drawn, it is clear that the crisis in Rivers State is far from over. The rejection of the election results by the APC has intensified the conflict between Governor Fubara’s administration and the opposition, with both sides refusing to back down.
The struggle for control of Rivers State’s political structure—largely shaped by Wike’s influence—has created a highly volatile environment, with the potential for further legal battles and unrest. As the APC continues to challenge the legitimacy of the elections, all eyes will be on the judiciary to provide clarity and a possible resolution to the unfolding crisis.
