By MAUREEN DICK and ERIC MOORE
CANDIDATES of the All Peoples Party (APP) have won 22 out of 23 local government areas in the chairmanship election conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), on Saturday.
RSIEC chairman, Justice Adolphus Enebeli (retd), who announced the result, said collation of results was ongoing in Etche, which is the only LGA where result has not been announced yet.
Candidates of APP were invariably candidates of the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, following non-participation of his embattled People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the election.
The governor has been having running battle with the state PDP controlled by the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
The ruling party (PDP) had boycotted the election accusing the governor of procedural irregularities.
Similarly, the factional All Progressives Congress (APC) led by Tony Okocha has also withdrawn from participating in the exercise.
The PDP and APC had approached a Federal High Court, Abuja, to stop RSIEC from conducting the election, which was ruled in their favour.
The court also restrained Police and other security agencies from partaking the election.
Similarly, a High Court of Rivers State gave a court order permitting RSIEC to conduct the election and for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide the 2023 Voters’ Register for RSIEC for usage.
The court also ordered security agencies to provide security for RSIEC during the election.
The Okocha-led faction is believed to be loyal with the Minister of (FCT) and has been antagonist of Governor Fubara’s government.
But, the Emeka Beke-led APC loyal to the former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, announced and participated in the poll.
Meanwhile, barely 24 hours to the poll, Police announced withdrawal from the participation in compliance with the court order and requested other security agencies to comply.
However, other non-prominent political parties participated in the election.