Eligible voters in Rivers State cast their ballots on Saturday in local government elections organised by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) across 23 councils.
The polls, held in 6,866 polling units spread across 319 wards, are expected to produce elected chairpersons and councillors to replace administrators appointed in April 2025. The exercise came six months after the Supreme Court nullified the October 2024 local government elections.
Monitors, including Channels Television, reported largely peaceful voting in areas such as Port Harcourt, Obio Akpor, and Abonnema. However, delays in the arrival of materials were observed in several units, particularly in Emohua LGA.
Former governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, voted in Obio/Akpor. He described the exercise as peaceful and argued that the elections paved the way for lifting the emergency rule imposed on Rivers earlier this year.
Rivers Administrator, Vice Admiral (retd.) Ibok-Ete Ibas, praised the turnout and orderly conduct of voters, expressing confidence that credible results would emerge. The state police command also confirmed an incident-free process, with sorting and counting beginning by mid-afternoon.
Civil society groups, however, raised concerns. Yiaga Africa criticised the non-use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), while the Electoral College of Nigeria faulted the polls, citing the political crisis that led to emergency rule.
Results are expected soon, with winners set to replace the council leaders whose mandate was annulled by the Supreme Court.