Rivers State is once again at the center of political storm clouds as residents troop out today, Saturday, to vote in highly controversial local government elections conducted under the administration of President Bola Tinubu’s military-appointed sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retired).
The elections, scheduled to hold across 6,866 polling units in 319 wards, come barely six months and two days after the Supreme Court nullified the October 5, 2024, local government polls conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), declaring them unconstitutional and riddled with irregularities.
Despite widespread criticism over the legitimacy of the exercise, RSIEC, under the leadership of Michael Odey, insists that the polls will proceed. The commission has urged “eligible voters to come out in their numbers and peacefully exercise their civic duty,” while assuring of security arrangements in collaboration with the police and other security agencies.
In a display of force, convoys of armed patrol vehicles stormed the streets of Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor, signaling the readiness of security operatives to clamp down on any breach of peace. The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, has also assured residents of maximum protection throughout the election period.
But critics argue that the elections lack credibility, given that the commission is operating under the direct influence of Ibas, Tinubu’s appointed sole administrator. Legal practitioner Chetam Nwala condemned the exercise, warning that it “does not represent the best interest of Rivers people” and called on President Tinubu to “restore democracy in the state.”
The state has been under emergency rule since late 2024, following a bitter power struggle between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, which plunged Rivers into political crisis. Though both men have since reconciled after Tinubu’s intervention, Rivers remains under federal control, with Ibas steering its affairs.
Observers note that the outcome of today’s elections could reshape the political terrain ahead of the 2027 governorship race, with major actors keeping a close eye on voter turnout and results.
For Rivers residents, the mood is a mix of anticipation and uncertainty—with many questioning whether the polls mark a genuine democratic exercise or yet another attempt at consolidating political power under federal influence.
PIONEER NEWS 