Rivers crisis: Wike camp heads for court as Fubara swears in LG chairmen

•APC, PDP factions vow legal battle as gov, Atiku, others counsel LG chiefs on residents’ welfare

 

The Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress factions on Sunday rejected the conduct and outcome of the local government election, stating that no election was held in the state on Saturday.

 

The Rivers PDP loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, described the poll as an exercise in futility, vowing to challenge it in court.

 

The Wike camp said this as the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, swore in the newly elected council chairmen of the 23 local government areas of the state.

 

 

The exercise was held on Sunday at the Executive Council Chamber of the Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital, hours after the chairmen were issued certificates of return by the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, Adolphus Enebeli.

 

The Saturday council election, which was marred by explosions and gunfire, was won by the Action Peoples Party which secured 22 out of 23 chairmanship positions, while the Action Alliance candidate won one seat.

 

The APP also won 314 out of the 319 councillorship seats in the 23 LGAs in the state.

 

The exercise was complicated by the ongoing power struggle between the Fubara and his predecessor, Wike.

 

After losing control of the PDP to Wike, Fubara’s supporters switched to the APP, securing chairmanship positions in their local government areas.

 

PDP challenges poll

 

Speaking to The PUNCH hours after the election winners were sworn in, the state Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kenneth Yowika, said the party would challenge the conduct of the poll in court.

 

‘’We are pressing further through the courts to ensure that justice is done and seen to have been done. So, we do not agree nor do we recognize if any swearing-in is taking place today (Sunday) or tomorrow (Monday),” he asserted.

 

Yowika said from the beginning, the ruling party in the state had insisted on the Federal High Court judgment barring the conduct of the council poll, pointing out that what the state government did was illegal.

 

Yowika said, “First of all everything concerning that issue is illegal. We have said it clearly that elections should not be held, you know, relying on the Federal High Court judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu.

 

“And I had said before this time that any action taken regarding the issue of the local government will be futile because if we say we are a country that stands by the rule of law, then we should not be doing things that are contrary to the law.

 

“The law had said do things that will be in line with the judgment of the Federal High Court and the Government of the day has not obeyed that.

 

“So, we are a law-abiding party. We are not going to come out physically to begin to fight. We had a protest yesterday (Saturday) clearly showing that there was no election.

 

“And we stand by that decision that we have taken that there was no election, and we wait for the judiciary and other arms of government that should put things in proper perspective to act. We continue to hold on that there was no election.”

 

Continuing, he said, “We visited the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission yesterday and clearly, the world saw that there was no election there. So, we stand by the ruling of the Federal High Court which said that that election should not go on.

 

“Well, they went ahead to do whatever charade people saw and that is not acceptable by the Peoples Democratic Party. Like we said we are a law-abiding party, and we stand to remain that.”

 

Similarly, Chibuike Ikenga, Publicity Secretary of the Chief Tony Okocha-led APC insisted on the Federal High Court judgment which restrained the state government from conducting the poll.

 

Ikenga also said the swearing-in of the election winners ‘is neither here nor there,’ saying the party is pressing further through with the law.

 

“As a party, we insist on obeying the decisions of the Federal High Court under Justice Peter Lifu. And that is the reason why we did not acknowledge that any election ever took place. But the government is known for disobedience of court order went ahead. So, they are on their own.

 

“Our position is that you cannot put something on nothing and expect it to stand. So, whether anybody has been sworn in or not is secondary, we are not aware and we are not interested in whether it is taking place today (Sunday) or tomorrow (Monday).

 

“We are pressing further through the courts to ensure that justice is done and seen to have been done. So, we do not agree nor do we recognize if any swearing-in is taking place today or tomorrow,’’ he stated.

 

Asked if the party will return to the court based on the latest developments, he said, ‘’The state government already took the matter to the Court of Appeal where they asked for a stay and the stay was refused. So, the matter is on at the Court of Appeal.”

 

However, the APC loyal to the former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the election, saying it would not contest the outcome.

 

Chizi Enyi, who is the Chief of Staff to the APC Chairman, Emeka Beke, said the party did not lose out because it won a councillor slot.

 

“The APC won the council slot. We are satisfied with the election held. Our biggest worry was those who said the election should not be held. So, we accept the outcome and we will not litigate it,” he said.

 

The Rivers State Commissioner for Environment and immediate past Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Sydney Gbara, also expressed satisfaction with the election, describing it as the freest and fairest election in the history of the state.

 

Gbara said, “Yes, I’m very satisfied and I can tell you that this is the freest and fairest and most peaceful election that has been conducted in Rivers State so far. The most striking thing about the election is that there was no police security yet everywhere was peaceful. That is the most interesting thing about the election.

 

“This is the best election that Rivers people came all out to participate in because they know that their future depends on yesterday’s election.”

 

Asked why he was excited even though his party did not win any slot, he said the interest of the state is paramount.

 

Gbara stated, “It is unfortunate that my party withdrew from the contest but as a Rivers man, the interest of the state supersedes any other interest, any personal or individual or group interest.

 

“For me, it is a step of liberation for the Rivers people and it is a day we have all been waiting for.”

 

Addressing the election winners, Fubara said the state has now entered into a season of transformation where democracy would not only thrive but the people shall witness the delivery of democratic dividends that satisfy their aspirations.

 

He acknowledged with great delight the support of Rivers people in the fight to salvage the local government system, according to him, ‘’it was at the precipice of doom because of the activities of some distractive political forces that wanted a grip on it.’’

 

He said that the pressure to destroy the LG system in Rivers State became intense three days before Election Day when an attempt was made to invade the RSIEC Headquarters.

 

The governor said, “But the truth remains, desperate situations require desperate measures. We were confronted with a situation where the local governments of this state was heading for doom.

 

“And the truth about it is, because of the genuine love that we have for this state, we must salvage the local government election. And what we did, with the support of Rivers people, was to salvage the local government council. And to the glory of God, that has been done and dusted.”

 

Fubara said with the elections now over, his administration would not engage in undemocratic action to confront or fight anybody.

 

Rather, he promised to deploy peaceful means to protect the state’s assets.

 

He added, “We will assure the Federal Government that we are not going to be a party to anything leading to the breakdown of law and order in this state. This is because we know quite alright that if there is a breakdown of law and order in this state, Nigeria will suffer, and we are not going to be party to it. That is the reason why our standard, in terms of maturity, was high.”

 

Gov admonishes chairmen

 

Fubara admonished the new chairmen to remain connected with the people in their council areas.

 

He urged them to emulate his approach to peace by being patient with the people and resolving every situation amicably.

 

He added, “For the newly sworn-in chairmen, I want you to see yourselves as servants. Once you see yourself as an emperor, that is where the problem begins. Once you see yourself as the one who knows it all because of the power of the fund available to you, that is where you will start seeing crisis.

 

“But see this opportunity as a call to service. It is an opportunity for you to bring people together and to deliver to the people of Rivers State. We need development in the 23 local government areas.”

 

The governor observed that his administration had provided certain critical infrastructure and other levels of development, but added that more needed to be done.

Handing down leadership tips to the new council leaders, he stated, “Represent them well. Work for the betterment of your local government, and ensure that you are a servant leader. Open your doors, embrace everyone, and I assure you, that nothing is bigger and greater than that.

 

“That is the structure. When you work for the people, when you bring them in, when you help them, there is nothing bigger than that. So, that will be the ingredient of this administration.”

 

Fubara said he is aware that his detractors were mobilising 20 people per political unit to attack the council chairmen when they reported to their various council secretariats on Monday.

 

He, however, advised them not to confront their adversaries or fight them.

 

He said, “I’m aware that they are mobilising 20 people per unit to go and confront you tomorrow when you resume in your local government headquarters. Please if they are coming with violence, avoid them.

 

“The peace of this state is too important to us. Everybody knows what they are planning but please I want to beg everyone to follow my approach.

 

“At the right time, you will always win if you are patient and calculative. We have made our promises to our people. We are going to lead them to the promised land.”

 

Fubara also said that his administration had promised Rivers people that he would lead them to ‘the Promised Land of greater development in an egalitarian society where everybody is equal.’

 

The governor urged the grassroots leaders to key into that commitment, which he said, would help them to work with so much enthusiasm as if the government would end the next day.

 

He warned them against greed and the urge to amass wealth indiscriminately.

 

He added, “You must ensure that this opportunity God has given you at this critical time is protected. Don’t fail Him. Don’t fail these elders that have come here to witness this ceremony.

 

“We want this to be a landmark. This is the beginning of a new Rivers State, and I am going to make sure that I supervise it with all that I have.

 

“I will follow up with whatever is happening in the 23 local governments with everything because I believe this is not a time for me to make any mistake.”

 

While expressing gratitude to God, Fubara appreciated President Bola Tinubu for his democratic approach and support for his administration.

 

“So, on behalf of the good people of Rivers State, I want to thank him (President Tinubu). I am so glad that the Chairman of the Governor’s Forum of PDP, and Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, is here with us to witness the ceremony. I want to assure you that I remain a member of PDP,” the governor stated.

 

‘Election credible’

 

Speaking earlier while presenting the certificates of return to the winners, the RSIEC chairman, Justice Adolphus Enebeli, noted that the outcome of the election had made a profound statement that the ballot paper in the hands of the people is stronger than arms and ammunition.

 

This is even as he declared the candidate of the Action Alliance party, Uzodinma Nwafor, as the winner of the chairmanship seat of Etche Local Government Council.

 

Enebeli explained that after it was stood down on Saturday, the process of collation of votes cast in Etche Local Government for the chairmanship position had been completed.

 

That was done, he stated, with discrete introspection, impartiality and electoral justice, with the lawful votes meeting the two-thirds of the majority of valid votes cast in favour of the Action Alliance party candidate, which was declared the winner and returned elected.

 

Enebeli said, “We can see that Rivers people and residents in their overwhelming majority of opinion have given veracity of vindication to Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission avowed position to conduct a free, fair, credible, transparent, all-inclusive, violence-free, successful and treasured election by the Treasure Base of the Nation, Rivers State, without police or security agencies.”

 

Enebeli said that of the 319 political wards, the Action Peoples Party won 314 councillorship positions while other parties clinched the remaining five positions.

 

The five councillorship seats were won by the All Progressives Congress which secured Okrika Ward 3, Boot Party which bagged Ahoada West, the Labour Party won Ward 3, while the Social Democratic Party and Young People’s Party each won councillorship seats in three other local government areas.

 

He said, “If I may say so without any sense of immodesty, the election that took place, conducted by us and the results make a vocal statement to Rivers State and Nigerian nation that the ballot paper in the people’s hand is stronger than arms and ammunition.”

 

Enebeli eventually presented Certificates of Return to the 23 chairmen and vice chairmen-elect who were returned elected in the October 5 council election.

 

This was done in compliance with section 59 of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission Law No. 2 of 2018.

 

Commenting on the poll, the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, commended the Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara and the residents for rejecting ‘’The machinations of self-serving godfathers.’’

 

It will be recalled that ex-governor Wike’s faction had also clashed with Atiku during the 2023 Presidential election, a conflict that was believed to have contributed to Atiku’s defeat.

 

Atiku in a statement on Sunday stated that the era of political intimidation and judicial manipulation has ended, allowing for a focus on genuine governance in the state.

 

The former Vice President urged the newly elected council chairmen to prioritize the welfare of the people as their primary badge of honour and commitment.

 

The statement read, “With the conclusion of the local government election in Rivers State, the shadows of political intimidation and judicial chicanery have dissipated, paving the way for the noble pursuit of governance to commence in the State.

 

“From the bustling heart of Port Harcourt to the tranquil shores of Onne, the populace has spoken in harmonious unison, affirming that nothing can better democracy!

 

“As prophesied, it has now been revealed that the citizens of Rivers are astute and resolute, unwavering in their rejection of any form of political oppression, harassment, or the machinations of self-serving godfathers.”

 

Atiku urged the chairmen to avoid tyranny and unrealistic ambitions in their political pursuits.

 

The statement continued, “As I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the newly elected local government leaders, I urge them to wear the welfare of the people as their foremost badge of honour, shunning the path of tyranny and delusional ambition in their political endeavours.

 

“Moreover, I commend the resilient people of Rivers State for their steadfastness in the face of adversity, courageously ensuring that yesterday’s election unfolded with peace and integrity.

 

“I must also applaud Governor Fubara for his unwavering commitment to the people’s interests, safeguarding the sanctity of the local government elections even amidst provocative challenges.

 

“In the grand tapestry of this election, it is ultimately the people who emerge victorious, their sacred right to choose their leaders firmly upheld within the framework of our democratic process.”

 

Also speaking on the election, a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Kenneth Minimah (retd), commended the Rivers state governor for the seamless conduct of the LG poll.

 

In a congratulatory message to the governor on Sunday, he lauded Fubara’s resolve in ensuring that the elections took place, even as he described its outcome as a significant milestone for the state.

 

While urging the governor to remain resolute in driving the development of the state, he urged politicians to prioritize the welfare of the people and put the needs of their constituents above other considerations.

 

“I wish to praise Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the seamless conduct of the local government elections and his resolve in ensuring the elections took place. The outcome of the election is a significant milestone for the state.

 

‘’ Fubara has the steering the ship of state and I urge him to remain resolute in driving development. This development and successful local government election signifies Governor Fubara’s administration’s commitment to the people at the grassroots,” the statement read in part.

 

Minimah also commended the RSIEC and the people for their part in the success of the election.

 

Meanwhile, the Ogonis in the Diaspora, under the aegis of Greater Ogonis in Diaspora Organisation, has strongly condemned the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over his handling of the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State.

 

The group in a statement on Sunday called for his immediate resignation.

 

President of GODO, Chief Ambrose Kii, also threatened to drag the IG to the International Criminal Court if the police continued to take sides in the political crisis in Rivers State.

 

He cited alleged excessive use of force and violence, particularly against Rivers people and disrespecting the state governor, whom he described as the chief security officer of the state.