• Hails LG election as peaceful
By Obinna Uballa
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has assured that Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and the State House of Assembly will resume their constitutional duties once the emergency rule in the state expires on September 18.
Wike, who spoke to journalists on Saturday after casting his vote at Unit 007, Ward 9, Rumueprikom in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, said the successful conduct of the local government election signaled the readiness to restore democratic governance at all levels in the state.
“Having done this, the coast is clear for the state of emergency to be lifted. The local government now has representatives, the state government has its own elected representatives, so we are good to go,” he said.
Expressing optimism, the former Rivers governor stated: “I do know that by September 18, the state of emergency will expire, and that would mean the state governor and the state assembly will come back to their jobs, and we will have a government at the grassroots level.”
Wike hailed the conduct of the council polls, describing them as peaceful despite concerns about low voter turnout.
“I am very happy. It means that people identify with the election. You have not heard of any violence. You have not heard of ballot box snatching. 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,” he said.
He dismissed fears of voter apathy, insisting that turnout was improving as the exercise progressed. “Of course, we are concerned about low turnout, 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.”
