Federal Capital Territory Minister and former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has regained influence in the state’s local government structure. This follows an election conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission in the 23 Local Government Areas. The election was held after a prolonged political crisis in the state.

The crisis led to a controversial local government election in October 2024, where Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s loyalists won 22 out of 23 chairmanship positions under the Action Peoples Party. However, the Supreme Court nullified the election on February 28, 2025, after an appeal by the All Progressives Congress. The court reinstated a Federal High Court judgment that restrained the electoral commission from proceeding with the polls due to an outdated voter’s register.

President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, suspending Governor Fubara, his deputy, and state House of Assembly members for six months to restore stability. The president later brokered peace between Wike and Fubara, resulting in an agreement that allowed Wike’s loyalists to return to the local government. This agreement paved the way for the recent election.

In the run-up to the election, Wike’s loyalists defected to the All Progressive Congress, led by Chief Tony Okocha, to contest the elections. Despite opposition from another APC faction, the loyalists were cleared to contest. They ran on the APC platform in 20 local government areas and as PDP members in three others.

Although official results have not been announced, Wike’s loyalists are expected to emerge victorious. The suspended Governor Fubara and his supporters, including his Chief of Staff and Secretary to the Government, were absent from the election. The 23 former local government chairmen sacked by the Supreme Court also shunned the election.

The election was marked by low voter turnout, with some residents expressing apathy and alleging that the results were predetermined. A resident claimed to have seen individuals “thumb printing ballot papers” for the APC candidate, while another stated that there was no need to vote as the results were already written.

The outcome of the election signifies a shift in the balance of power in Rivers State, with Wike regaining influence in the local government structure. The development is expected to have implications for the 2027 general elections in the state.