Rivers State Holds Local Government Elections, Minister Hails Peaceful Conduct

Voters in Rivers State, Nigeria, cast their ballots on Saturday in local government elections conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) across 23 councils. The exercise, which took place in 6,866 polling units, is expected to produce elected local government chairpersons and councilors, replacing the council administrators appointed in April 2025.

The elections were held six months after the Supreme Court nullified the council elections conducted on October 5, 2024, by the RSIEC. Channels Television reported that the exercise was largely peaceful, with voting ongoing in various polling units, including Ward 13, Unit 06, Aluu, in the Ikwerre LGA.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, who cast his ballot at about 11:15 am in Rumepirikom, Ward 9, Unit 007, Obio/Akpo Local Government Area, described the elections as peaceful and commendable. Wike, who served as the chairman of Obio/Akpo LGA for two terms in 1999, said the conduct of the council elections paved the way for the end of emergency rule in the state.

“The coast is clear for the state of emergency to be lifted, meaning that the local government has representatives, the state government has its own elected representatives, so we are good to go,” Wike said. He also dismissed concerns over the non-usage of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in the election, stating that it did not undermine the conduct of the polls.

Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral (retd.) Ibok-Ete Ibas, commended the peaceful and orderly conduct of the elections, describing it as a decisive step toward restoring full democratic governance at the grassroots. Ibas, who monitored the exercise in several local government areas, expressed satisfaction with the voter turnout and the serenity at polling units.

Civil society organizations, including Yiaga Africa, raised concerns over the non-use of BVAS in the conduct of the elections. The Executive Director of the Electoral College of Nigeria, Kunle Lawal, faulted the conduct of the elections, citing the imposition of emergency rule in the state.

The official results of the elections have not been announced by RSIEC. The state is currently under emergency rule led by Ibas, who was sworn in by President Bola Tinubu on March 19, 2025, following a political crisis that resulted in the suspension of Governor Sim Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly members. However, Fubara and Wike later reconciled their differences after President Tinubu intervened. The successful conduct of the elections reflects the people’s desire to elect leaders they can identify with at the local level.