By Daphne Okoturo, Port – Harcourt
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nyesom Wike, has expressed the confidence that with the conduct of the local government elections in Rivers State on Saturday, the coast was clear for the lifting of the emergency rule in the state.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 declared an emergency rule in the oil – rich Rivers State, suspended the governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy governor and the state legislators for six months following the deteriorating of intractable political crisis that rocked the state.
The following day, Wednesday, the President installed a Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok Ette Ibas (retired) to oversee the affairs of the state during period of suspension of Governor Fubara and others.
However, speaking after casting his vote around 11: 15am in Rumepirikom, Ward 9, Unit 007, Obio/Akpo Local Government Area of the State, Wike said the emergency rule would end by September 18 and described elections as largely peaceful.
He said, “I do know that by September 18, the state of emergency will expire and the state assembly will come back to their job and we will have a government at the grassroots level.
“So, having done this now, the coast is clear for the state of emergency to be lifted, being that the state government has its representative and the local government has its representatives, so we are good to go.”
The former governor of the state dispelled concerns over the non-usage of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in the elections, saying people were happy casting their votes to their preferred candidates and parties.
He said: “I am very happy. It means that people identify with the election. You have not heard of any violence. You have not heard of carrying ballot boxes. You see that the electoral materials are there. People are there casting their votes. As far as we are concerned, the election is very peaceful.
“Of course we are concerned, but people are trooping out. Before the election closes, you will see the number of persons. So, we are very happy that, at the end of the day, this election has been conducted very peacefully and successfully.”
