The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, today reaffirmed his enduring connection to grassroots politics by casting his vote in the ongoing Local Government (LG) elections in Rivers State.
Wike voted at Ward 9, Unit 007, Rumuepirikom, located in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, where he previously served as council chairman for two terms. The election, organized by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), is being conducted across all 23 LGAs, covering 319 wards and 6,866 polling units.
Speaking to reporters after casting his ballot, Wike praised the peaceful conduct of the exercise and the turnout of voters in his area. “You have not heard of any violence. You have not heard of ballot box snatching. Electoral materials are present, and people are casting their votes. This election is very peaceful,” he stated.
The election comes in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling that nullified the previous council polls held in October 2024, prompting fresh elections under emergency rule. Security agencies, including the Nigerian Police Force, Army, Navy, and NSCDC, staged a coordinated show of force across Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor to reassure residents of safety and ensure a credible process.
Wike also addressed concerns over the non-use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), defending the integrity of the process and emphasizing the importance of voter participation over technology debates.