Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has sworn in 23 newly elected local government chairmen following the successful grassroots election conducted by the Rivers State Independent National Electoral Commission on Saturday.
The swearing-in ceremony took place on Sunday at the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House in Port Harcourt.
The event was attended by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who is also the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum. During his address, Governor Fubara expressed his satisfaction with the election results and appreciated the support of the people. He acknowledged the challenges faced in recent days, saying, “It takes the help of God to survive the past few days.”
Fubara also took the opportunity to reaffirm his commitment to the PDP, assuring Governor Mohammed, “I am still a member of PDP, but a desperate situation requires desperate action.” He explained that his administration’s approach to the election, with the people’s backing, was necessary to protect the local government councils and ensure peace in the state.
He encouraged the newly elected chairmen to view themselves as servants of the people, not as emperors, stressing the need for development in the local government areas. “You must work for the people, who are the real political structure,” he charged the new leaders.
RSIEC issued certificates of return to the newly elected chairmen earlier on Sunday. Out of 23 local government chairmanship positions, the Action People’s Party won 22, while the result for Etche Local Government Area was initially withheld due to ongoing collation.
However, a day after the election, RSIEC declared Uzodinma Nwafor of the Action Alliance as the winner in Etche LGA.
RSIEC Chairman Adolphus Enebeli praised the election as “free, fair, and credible” despite the challenges faced during the exercise. He thanked the residents for their patriotism, noting that polling closed at 3 pm with a large voter turnout. “The commission adopted the principle of bi-location because of the exigencies we found ourselves in,” he said, highlighting the measures taken to ensure the election’s success.
Observers at the election included members of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, chairmen of independent electoral bodies from across the country, and representatives of the Nigerian Bar Association, who monitored the polls.
With the swearing-in completed, the newly elected chairmen are now tasked with driving development and working in the best interests of the people they serve.
