The successful conduct of the local government elections in the state of Rivers will establish the tone for the soft return of democratic governance in the state on September 18, when the six -month emergency rule is expected to end.
The Minister of the Territory of the Federal Capital (FCT), Nyesom Wike, gave this indication in Port Harcourt on Saturday after issuing his vote in room 9, Unit 7, Rumuepirikom, the local government area of ​​Obio/AKPOR, during the elections held to restore the democratic government in the third level of government in the state. This followed the cancellation of the Supreme Court of the October 2023 elections held under the suspended governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Although the exercise was received with a generalized apathy, with most of the electorate it remained away, Wike emphasized that the elections were necessary to ensure that the three weapons of the government were completed and works without problems after September 18, when democracy is expected to return to the State.
In most of the voting units visited, only a handful of voters were seen emitting their tickets, while most of them carried out their normal activities, simply observing the distance procedures. The young people took advantage of the restriction of the movement to convert road sections into improvised football fields.
Marvel World, resident of Rumigbo, Psychiatry Road, told our reporter that she refused to participate in what she described as a “farce”, insisting that the result was already predetermined.
“What options are open to the electorate?” She asked. “For example, in this Obio/AKPOR presidency contest, which is standing against the PDP candidate, Gift Worlu? Even Chief Tony Okocha and his APC, which were everywhere, failed to produce a candidate for Obio/Akpor. This is the same pattern in the 23 areas of the local government, where only a candidate is on the ballot.
“So, assuming that I go out to vote when there is only one party and a candidate on the electoral ballot, I have not lost my time and effort? That is why I kept away. Let the politicians be please, we have decided to fold our hands and look.”
Speaking to journalists after issuing his vote, the Minister of FCT described the election of October 5, 2023 as “without election”, pointing out that this was the reason why the Supreme Court annulled it.
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“If this election was not conducted, you know that the Supreme Court had said that there is nothing like the caregivers committees in local governments. If there are no elections, the funds will not come from the Federation account to the local government councils.
“That means that if the emergency rule is raised and there are no local government elections, we will still have the same problem.
“But now that the election of the local government has been carried out, it means that there are elected representatives who will receive funds directly from the Federation account. Everyone must support the conduct of this election to stabilize governance in the bases.
“By the time the emergency rule rises on September 18, the Governor, the State Assembly and others will return. Without officials of the chosen local government, the system would not be complete. We are happy that today’s elections produce officials who swore, ensuring an adequate representation in the bases.”
In the apathy of voters, Wike explained: “This is a local government choice. In commercial areas, participation is usually low, but in residential areas, participation is greater. Many non -indigenous people also abstain because they are not voting in their own communities.
“However, I am satisfied with participation. I have received reports from rural areas that people came out in their numbers to participate.”
Also talking with journalists after casting his vote, Chief Tony Okocha, state president of the Congress of all progressives (APC), urged the winners of the elections to take everyone in their advice, regardless of political affiliation, noting that they maintain the confidence of the people.
In the low participation registered, particularly in Obio/Akpor and other parts of the Metropolis of Port Harcourt, Okocha said it was neither strange nor unexpected, since some people always choose to remain indifferent during the elections.
“Those who will be declared winners must know that they are expected to keep the fort for people, be oriented to people and flood their respective tips with development projects in accordance with their capacity. They must provide quality governance according to the renewed agenda of hope of the federal government.
“The apathy is not unusual in the elections. Some people will remain remote, while children will take advantage of the restriction of the movement to convert roads into football fields. This is how it is,” he said.
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