Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has praised the conduct of the Rivers State local government elections held on Saturday, describing the process as both peaceful and successful.
Wike, a former governor of the state, cast his vote around 11:15 a.m. at Rumepirikom, Ward 9, Unit 007, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, where he once served two terms as local government council chairman.
After voting, the minister dismissed concerns about voter apathy and the absence of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) during the polls.
“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,” Wike told reporters.
He noted that although turnout appeared low when he arrived, more voters were steadily trooping in to cast their ballots.
On the non-usage of BVAS, Wike argued that it did not affect the credibility of the election.
“Of course, we are concerned [about low turnout] but people are trooping out. Before the election closes, you will see the number of persons [increase]. So, we are very happy that, at the end of the day, this election has been conducted very peacefully and successfully.”
The minister also linked the smooth conduct of the local elections to the potential lifting of the state of emergency declared earlier this year by President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State.
“So having done this, then 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,” he said.
iDeemlawful recalls that the state of emergency was imposed in March amid heightened political tensions between Wike and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, which led to the suspension of the governor, his deputy, and the State Assembly.
