Elder statesman Chief Edwin Clark has hailed the peaceful conclusion of the Rivers State local government elections, calling for the Rivers model to be adopted in future electoral exercises across the country.
In a statement released on Monday, he praised the successful and transparent conduct of the elections, despite the deliberate absence of police involvement.
Clark expressed his admiration for the citizens of Rivers State, who turned out in large numbers to cast their votes, demonstrating their maturity and capacity to manage elections without a heavy security presence.
“This achievement, despite the police boycott, demonstrates that the people of Rivers State, and indeed Nigerians, are mature and patriotic enough to conduct elections without interference,” he noted.
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The foremost South-South leader emphasized the significance of this development, pointing out that it was unprecedented for any election in Nigeria—whether presidential, state, or local—to take place without security agencies, particularly the police, playing a key role.
He contrasted this with the recent governorship election in neighboring Edo State, where over 40,000 police officers were deployed at significant public cost, yet the election still resulted in complaints and legal disputes.
Clark urged the Federal Government and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to study the Rivers State election closely, suggesting that it could offer a way to reduce the high costs associated with elections in Nigeria.
“The fact that a statewide local government election can be conducted in a free, fair, and credible manner without the loss of lives or destruction of property is remarkable,” he stated.
The former federal minister also commended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara for creating the right atmosphere for a credible election and lauded President Bola Tinubu for ensuring that security agencies exercised restraint during the process.
According to Clark, the absence of police interference contributed significantly to the successful outcome of the elections.
Congratulating the newly elected chairmen, vice-chairmen, and councillors of Rivers’ local government councils, Clark urged them to prioritize peace and development in the state.
He also called for unity among the people of the state, encouraging them to move past the political crises that have plagued the state over the last year.
Reflecting on the lessons from the election, the leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) stated that the political turmoil in the state was not driven by ethnic bias but by a battle between good and evil, truth and lies. He urged all Rivers people to put their differences behind them and work toward a better future.
At 98 years old, Clark reiterated his lifelong commitment to advocating for democracy, expressing hope that the peaceful election model demonstrated in Rivers State would serve as an example for other states in Nigeria.
He called for future elections to be conducted with minimal security involvement and free from undue interference.
“This peaceful conduct of elections, as exemplified in Rivers State, should be replicated across the federation,” Clark declared, underscoring his belief that the event marked a major step forward for Nigeria’s democratic process.
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