By Muhammad Mamman
The political landscape in Rivers State has shifted dramatically as the All Progressives Congress (APC) secured a sweeping victory in Saturday’s local government elections, dislodging the long-dominant Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas (Rtd.), the Administrator of Rivers State, on Sunday presided over the swearing-in of the newly elected chairmen of the state’s 23 local government councils at the Government House, Port Harcourt. The ceremony came shortly after the winners received their certificates of return from the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
Announcing the results, RSIEC Chairman, Dr Michael Odey, confirmed that the APC clinched 20 chairmanship positions alongside their corresponding councillorship seats. The PDP, which has traditionally held sway in the oil-rich state since the return of democracy in 1999, managed to retain only two chairmanship seats and three councillorship positions.
Significantly, this marks the first time the APC has achieved such dominance in Rivers State, signalling what many observers see as a major political upset.
The elections, conducted across more than 6,000 polling units, recorded mixed voter turnout. While rural communities witnessed robust participation, turnout in urban centres such as Port Harcourt City, Obio/Akpor, and Akukutoro varied, with some polling stations attracting large crowds and others seeing low engagement.
The RSIEC’s official list of winners also revealed that several of the newly elected chairmen are returning for a second term, having previously served during the administration of former Governor Nyesom Wike.
