By Abayomi Grace
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has secured a landslide victory in the Rivers State local government polls, winning 20 out of 23 local government areas. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) managed to win the remaining 3 LGAs. This outcome follows a period of political tension and a previous court annulment of earlier results.
The election was described as peaceful, with voters and election officials displaying orderly conduct. Confidence Deko, the APC chairmanship candidate for Gokana Local Government Area, praised the election as the freest, fairest, and most credible poll in the state in recent times. Similarly, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike commended the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for conducting a free and fair election.
The APC’s victory was significant, with some areas showing a substantial margin of victory. For instance, in Tai Local Government Area, the APC polled 70,080 votes, while the PDP came a distant second with 1,245 votes. The PDP’s limited wins were notable, although the exact details of these wins are not specified.
The election outcome was largely predictable due to a unique “collabo” system, where the APC and PDP formed an alliance, allocating LGAs to each party. This system was reportedly based on an agreement between the two parties, with the PDP getting 3 LGAs and the APC getting 20.
Minister Nyesom Wike praised the RSIEC for conducting a free and fair election, underscoring the significance of the election. However, reports indicate a low voter turnout in some areas, which might be attributed to the predictable outcome due to the “collabo” system.
The APC’s landslide victory has sparked conversations about the dynamics of power and influence in Rivers State politics. The election outcome may have implications for the state’s governance and development.
