Rivers State Local Government Elections Conducted Peacefully
The 2023 Rivers State local government elections were a success according to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who described the exercise as peaceful. Wike, a former governor of the state, cast his ballot early in the day and was satisfied with the turnout, despite initial concerns about low voter participation. The minister attributed the successful conduct of the polls to the absence of violence and the ability of people to vote without any issues.
Key Takeaways:
- The Rivers State local government elections were conducted peacefully, with no reports of violence or ballot box snatching, according to Minister Nyesom Wike.
- Wike cast his ballot early in the day and was satisfied with the turnout, despite initial concerns about low voter participation.
- The minister attributed the successful conduct of the polls to the absence of violence and the ability of people to vote without any issues.
- Wike linked the peaceful conduct of the local polls to the possibility of lifting the state of emergency declared in Rivers State earlier this year.
- The state of emergency was imposed in March amid heightened political tensions between Wike and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
- Wike argued that the absence of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) did not undermine the credibility of the election.
- The minister observed that while turnout appeared low at the time of his arrival, more people were still trooping out to vote by the time the election closed.
Statistics:
- The election was conducted in the state, with voters casting their ballots in various local government areas.
- Wike cast his ballot at Rumepirikom, Ward 9, Unit 007, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
- The minister arrived at the polling unit around 11:15 a.m.
Sources:
- Leadership [LEADERSHIP] informs us of the peaceful conduct of the Rivers State local government elections.
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