The results of the Rivers LGA elections of yesterday were shared to FCT Minister’s foot soldiers in both parties in what is termed ‘Collabo’ in the absence of Sim Fubara ‘s men who had surrendered to his estwhile godfather.
Now, the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has won chairmanship positions of 20 local government areas, leaving 3 for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), in a local government council elections marked by voter apathy.
Michael Odey, chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), in results declared on August 31, 2025, at the commission’s headquarters, showed APC showing strength in an election contested by 17 political parties that includes PDP, Labour Party (LP), National Rescue Movement (NRM) and others.
The People’s Democratic Party won Obio/Akpor (Nyesom Wike, FCT minister’s home LGA), Port Harcourt City and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGAs, through Gift Onyinye Worlu, Allwell Ihunda and Chukwu Shedrack Ogbogu respectively.
The three LGAs are said to be politically and economically stronger than most in the state.
All Progressives Congress won the remaining twenty LGAs, which include Omuma, Abua/Odual, Andoni, Eleme, Gokana, Khana, Tai, Etche, Emohua, Asari-Toru, Degema, Akuku-Toru, Oyigbo, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Bonny, Okrika, Ikwerre, Ogu/Bolo and Opobo/Nkoro (Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s home LGA).
Odey said certificate of return will be presented to winners on a letter date. Our correspondent however gathered that the presentation might not be later than Monday, September 1 or 2, 2025.
Meanwhile, expectations are rife in the state that the conclusion of the much disputed August 30 local government council elections might pave for the lifting of the state of emergency imposed by President Bola Tinubu on the state and a return to office by Siminalayi Fubara, Rivers State governor.
Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), while casting his vote at Ward 9, Unit 7, Rumuepirikom on August 30, said the state of emergency will elapse on by September 18.
He said the successful conclusion of the local council polls will usher in democracy at the grassroots, thus strengthening governance at that level.
APC’s sweep of the council seats highlights Tony Okocha, state Chairman’s position that the party is ready to take over the state.
Addressing a party rally before the elections, he had said that despite “a marriage of political parties” in the state, forged by an unnamed political leader, the APC was eager to go to the polls and win.
Analysts believe that the marriage of political parties is between the APC and PDP, which has given birth to a concept referred to ‘PDAPC.’ They said, stretched further, the marriage naturally resulted in the “sharing of chairmanship and councillorship positions between the APC and PDP.”
