Mary Onyia
Following the successful election in the 23 local government areas in Rivers State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has warned the newly elected Local government chairpersons of possible attacks against them on resumption of duty on Monday, but advised them to maintain the peace by remaining calm even in the face of likely confrontation.
Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony held at the government house in Port Harcourt, on Sunday, Governor Fubara implored the local government chairpersons to learn from him and adopt his governance approach of patience and strategic action in their new roles, while declaring that the controversy surrounding the recent Rivers LGA elections is effectively over.
“I’m aware that there are plans to mobilize 20 people per unit to confront you when you return to your local government headquarters,” he stated.
“If they come with violence, avoid them. Peace in this state is important to us. Everyone knows what they are planning, but I urge you to follow my approach.”
Fubara encouraged the officials to be patient, asserting, “At the right time, you will always win if you are patient and calculative. We have made our promises to our people, and we are committed to leading them to the Promised Land.”
Despite the tensions that engulfed the state before the election, the polls took place, yesterday, amid gunshots, bomb explosions, and protests in some parts of the state with minimal presence of the police across all polling areas.
Voters reportedly turned out in their numbers, and in many places, the exercise commenced early following the supply of sensitive and non-sensitive materials by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC.
Earlier, the police had said they were not providing security during the poll, which led to conflict between the state governor and the Department of State Services.
A Federal High Court in Abuja had prevented the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from releasing the 2023 voter register to RSIEC. It also stopped the Inspector-General of Police and Department of State Services, DSS, from providing security for the exercise.
In the election, the Action Peoples Party (APP) won 22 LGAs, while the Action Alliance (AA) secured victory in one LGA.
With additional reports from the Vanguard