Rivers State’s suspended Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and his key political allies reportedly abstained from participating in the local government area elections held on Saturday. The absence of Fubara, along with prominent supporters like Chief of Staff Edison Ehie and Secretary to the Government Dr. Tammy Danagogo, raised eyebrows and cast doubt on his acceptance of the electoral process.
According to reports, Fubara’s political organization, the Simplified Movement, was also conspicuously absent from polling centers. Despite the arrival of electoral materials at Fubara’s polling unit in Opobo, he never appeared to cast his vote, leaving his constitutional duty unfulfilled.
Sources indicate that the suspended governor, who is scheduled to be reinstated on September 18, was not in his hometown of Opobo for the election, having reportedly traveled to London.
Meanwhile, the political structure led by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, now known as the Renewed Hope Agenda, expressed satisfaction with the election. Reports suggest the outcome was pre-determined, with candidates from Wike’s political structure in the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) poised to win. It is believed that 20 seats were allocated to the APC, while the PDP was given three, including those for Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt City, and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGAs.
