Wike votes in Rivers LG polls, hails peaceful exercise

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Saturday joined residents of Rivers State in the local government elections, commending the peaceful conduct of the polls and describing it as a positive step toward lifting the emergency rule in the state.

Wike, who governed Rivers from 2015 to 2023, arrived at his polling unit — Ward 9, Unit 007, Rumuepirikom in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area — at about 11:15 a.m. to cast his vote. Interestingly, the minister has a long history with the area, having previously served as chairman of the same local government council for two terms starting in 1999.

Speaking after casting his ballot, Wike expressed satisfaction with the orderly nature of the process and lauded both the electorate and election officials for ensuring a peaceful atmosphere. He also dismissed concerns over the non-use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), emphasizing that what mattered most was the credibility and serenity of the exercise.

“I am very happy. It means that people identify with the election,” Wike, surrounded by supporters and his media aide Lere Olayinka, said. “You have not heard of any violence. You have not heard of carrying ballot boxes. You see that the electoral materials are there. People are there casting their votes. As far as we are concerned, the election is very peaceful.

“Of course we are concerned [about low turnout] but people are trooping out. Before the election closes, you will see the number of persons [increase]. So, we are very happy that, at the end of the day, this election has been conducted very peacefully and successfully.”

Although BVAS devices were not deployed, Wike insisted this did not detract from the credibility of the process.

On the possible return of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara after the expiration of the six-month emergency rule slammed on the state by President Bola Tinubu, Wike said : “What this election means and you know by 18 of September, that state of emergency will expire and the governor and state house of assembly will come back to their jobs, and then remember that the Supreme Court had nullified the other election, and if this election was not conducted, it means that there is no governance at the grassroots level.”

The former governor has been a central figure in the state’s political turmoil, which prompted Tinubu to impose emergency rule after reconciliation efforts between him and  Fubara collapsed.

In March, Tinubu suspended Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Oduh, and the state assembly for six months, appointing retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as sole administrator — a move that has sparked debate about its legality.