The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has described the conduct of the Rivers local government elections as a key step toward ending the emergency rule in the state.
Wike spoke on Saturday after casting his ballot at Rumepirikom, Ward 9, Unit 007, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
“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 told journalists after voting.
He added that the emergency measure would soon lapse: “I do know that by September 18, the state of emergency will expire, and that would mean that the state governor and state assembly will come back to their job, and we will have a government at the grassroots level.”
The former governor of Rivers State praised the process, stressing that it was peaceful and orderly.
“I am very happy. It means that people identify with the elections,” Wike said, dismissing fears of voter apathy while noting that there had been no reports of ballot snatching or violence.
“You have not heard of any violence. You have not heard of [people] carrying ballot boxes. You see that the electoral materials are there. People are there casting their votes. As far as we are concerned, the elections are very peaceful.
“Of course, we are concerned [about low turnout], but people are trooping out. Before the elections close, you will see the number of persons [increase]. So, we are very happy that, at the end of the day, these elections have been conducted very peacefully and successfully.”
The council polls were held six months after the Supreme Court annulled a previous exercise organized by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
In March, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers following a prolonged political feud between Wike and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The crisis, which resisted peace efforts, prompted the President to suspend Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Oduh, and the state assembly members for six months.
To manage affairs, Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as sole administrator for the period.
Weeks later, Wike, Fubara, and key lawmakers met with President Tinubu in Abuja. Afterward, Wike told reporters that the dispute had been resolved.
What you should know
Nyesom Wike, a two-time governor of Rivers State and now Minister of the FCT, has remained central to the state’s political tensions.
His statement following the peaceful conduct of the local government elections suggests that Rivers may soon see the end of federal emergency rule, restoring full authority to elected leaders in the state.
