Nyesom Wike, minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), exercised his franchise for the state LG election at about 10:30 a.m. in his Obio/Akpor Local Government Area polling unit.
Gatekeepers News reports that Local government elections began in Rivers State on Saturday, with accreditation and voting underway across polling units.
Speaking to journalists after casting his ballot, Wike dismissed reports suggesting low voter turnout.
He explained, “That is not correct. In most cases, the election starts at 10am. So, when you go to the polling unit by 9am, and you expect people to come out by that time, that is not usually the case.”
The former Rivers Governor added that turnout levels vary depending on location. According to him, residential areas tend to witness larger participation compared to commercial zones.
He also commended the atmosphere of the polls, noting, “The elections have been peaceful so far,” while praising security agencies for their role in maintaining order.
Wike, who once served as chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA before governing Rivers State from 2015 to 2023, returned to his political base for the exercise.
The election comes months after the Supreme Court annulled the October 5, 2024, local government polls held under suspended governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The apex court ruled that there was no evidence to show that the conditions in section 150(3) of the Electoral Act were met before the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) conducted the polls.
Recall that in March, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu suspended Fubara, his deputy, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months following a political crisis.
He subsequently appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas as the state’s sole administrator for the same period.
