Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara is set to swear in the 23 newly elected local government council chairmen today, Sunday, October 6, 2024, at 4 pm, following their victory in Saturday’s elections.
The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) announced that the Action Peoples Party (APP) secured a clean sweep, winning all 23 local government area chairmanship seats.
In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Wenike Danagogo, the swearing-in ceremony will take place at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Port Harcourt. “His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, the Governor of Rivers State, will today, Sunday, October 6, 2024, swear in the newly elected Council Chairmen…by 4 pm.”
The newly elected chairmen, accompanied by one guest each, are expected to take their seats by 3:30 pm.
The elections were held amidst reports of gunshots, bomb explosions, and protests in some parts of the state. Despite these challenges and fears of violence, voter turnout appeared substantial across the 23 local government areas.
RSIEC had earlier faced challenges, including a Federal High Court ruling that prevented the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the 2023 voter register and restricted security agencies from providing support. However, RSIEC clarified that it had obtained the voter register from INEC last year.
