The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, exercised his voting rights in the Rivers State local government elections.
The former governor, who led the state previously, cast his vote around 11:15 a.m. in Rumepirikom, Ward 9, Unit 007, within Obio/Akpo Local Government Area, where he had earlier served two terms as chairman. Wike began his political career as a local government chairman in 1999 before becoming governor, a position he held from 2015 to 2023.
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After voting, Wike praised the orderly and serene atmosphere of the election, addressing concerns about the non-deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) during the process.
“I am very happy. It means that people identify with the election,” Wike, who was surrounded by supporters and his media aide, Lere Olayinka, said after voting, dismissing concerns about voter apathy. “You have not heard of any violence. You have not heard of carrying ballot boxes. You see that the electoral materials are there. People are there casting their votes. As far as we are concerned, the election is very peaceful.
“Of course we are concerned [about low turnout] but people are trooping out. Before the election closes, you will see the number of persons [increase]. So, we are very happy that, at the end of the day, this election has been conducted very peacefully and successfully.”
Despite the absence of BVAS, Wike emphasized that this did not detract from the credibility of the polls. A prominent figure in Rivers State, Wike played a central role in the political unrest that prompted President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency after unsuccessful reconciliation efforts between Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
In March, Tinubu suspended Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Oduh, and the Rivers State Assembly members for six months, appointing Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retired) as the sole administrator to manage state affairs. Many Nigerians have questioned the constitutionality of this action, which Tinubu defended as necessary to maintain law and order.
According to Wike, the successful execution of the local government elections sets the stage for lifting the state of emergency. “So having done this, then the coast is clear for the state of emergency to be lifted, meaning that the local government has representatives, the state government has its own elected representatives, so we are good to go,” he said.
What You Should Know
The FCT Minister and former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, voted in the Rivers local government elections in Obio/Akpo LGA.
He commended the calm and peaceful conduct of the polls, addressing concerns over low voter turnout and the lack of BVAS. Wike was a major figure in the political crisis that led to President Tinubu imposing a state of emergency.
The emergency measures included suspending Governor Fubara, his deputy, and the state assembly, with a sole administrator appointed to govern. Wike highlighted that the successful elections pave the way for lifting the emergency rule, restoring elected representation in the state.
