JUST IN: APC wins 20 out of 23 Rivers LGAs 

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has won 20 out of the 23 local government areas in the council election held on Saturday.

Tribune Online reports that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) conducted elections to fill chairmanship and Councillorship positions after the nullification of the previous exercise by the Supreme Court.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which was the ruling party before the emergency rule declaration in March, on the other hand, won only three LGAs in the poll.

The results were announced by the RSIEC Chairman, Dr Michael Odey, at the commission’s Headquarters along Aba Road in Port Harcourt on Sunday afternoon.

Odey also declared winners of the vice chairmanship elections, but the results of the councillorship elections had not been announced as of press time.

Background

Tribune Online reports that the Supreme Court on Friday, February 28, 2025, annulled the local government election conducted by the RSIEC on the 5th of October 2024.

The apex court, in a judgment delivered by Justice Jamilu Tukur, declared that the election grossly violated the Electoral Act and therefore rendered invalid.

Justice Tukur, while reading the judgement, said the action of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) is declared void for lack of substantial compliance to the Electoral Act and guidelines as the electoral body continued voter registration even after announcing an election date.

Fubara’s reaction to S’Court ruling

Following the ruling by the Supreme Court, Tribune Online reports that Governor Siminalayi Fubara (now suspended) ordered the 23 local government chairmen of the state to hand over to the head of administration of their respective councils.

Fubara who made the order in a short state-wide address in March 2025 said following the law banning the use of caretaker committee to administer the third tire of government in Nigeria, the Local Government Heads of Administration being the most senior at the local government should hold forte at the councils until the state Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) conducts fresh election for the local government councils.

New Poll amid Emergency Rule

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday, March 18, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing a prolonged political crisis, constitutional breaches, and rising insecurity. 

In a nationwide broadcast, Tinubu announced the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months. 

To manage the affairs of the state, the President appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator, with immediate effect. 

Barely three weeks after officially resumed office as Rivers sole administrator, Ibas appointed 23 sole administrators to pilot the affairs of the local councils.

Subsequently and after screening by the National Assembly, the Rivers State Sole Administrator inaugurated new members of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) with the mandate to conduct new election for the third tier of government in Rivers State.

ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE