25th May, 2015
Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
The All Progressives Congress, APC, has swept all the chairmanship positions in the 22 local government councils where elections held last Saturday in Rivers state.
Announcing the result, the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, Professor Augustin Ahiaozu said elections were conducted in a free and fair manner in all parts of the state, except Ogba/Egbema/Andoni area where elections will only take place next year.
Professor Ahiaozu further said APC won councilorship positions in 297 wards with ACD, PPA, SDP and PDC winning in five wards in different local government areas of the state.
The Chairman of RSIEC thanked the security operatives and the ad hoc staff, who ensured that the council polls were credible.
“The elections were held without any glitch, without report of violence that used to characterize elections in Nigeria.
“The chairmanship elections were won by the All Progressives Congress, APC, in all the 22 Local government areas.
“Our ad hoc staff did not give us any disturbing report. We thank the security for living up to expectation,” he said.
RSIEC Chairman dismissed claims that the voters register was APC membership register and clarified that Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, certified the comprehensive voters’ register used for the elections.
Meanwhile, RSIEC said certificate of return will be issued to winners today at its office.
Based on the controversy surrounding the council election, it is not clear if the chairmen-elect would be sworn in by Governor Chibuike Amaechi before he leaves office.