The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, cast his ballot in the Rivers State local government elections on Saturday.
Wike, who governed the state from 2015 to 2023, voted at 11:15 a.m. in Rumepirikom, Ward 9, Unit 007, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, where he once served two terms as chairman.
After voting, Wike praised the peaceful conduct of the poll, dismissing concerns over low voter turnout and the absence of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
“I am very happy. It means that people identify with the election,” he said, surrounded by supporters and aides. “You have not heard of any violence or ballot snatching. Electoral materials are available, people are casting their votes, and the election is peaceful.”
On voter apathy, Wike expressed confidence that more residents would turn out before polls closed. He added that the non-usage of BVAS did not undermine the credibility of the exercise.
The minister, a central figure in Rivers politics, has been at the heart of the crisis that led President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the state earlier this year after reconciliation efforts between Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara collapsed.
Tinubu suspended Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Oduh, and members of the State Assembly in March, appointing Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retired) as sole administrator. The move, intended to prevent unrest, has been criticised by many Nigerians as unconstitutional.
Wike said the successful conduct of the elections paved the way for the emergency rule to be lifted.
“So having done this, the coast is clear for the state of emergency to be lifted,” he declared. “The local government now has representatives, the state government has its own elected representatives, so we are good to go.”