By Daphne Okoturo, Port – Harcourt.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nyesom Wike, has expressed the confidence that with the conduct of the local government elections in Rivers State on Saturday, the coast was clear for the lifting of the emergency rule in the state.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 declared an emergency rule in the oil – rich Rivers State, suspended the governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy governor and the state legislators for six months following the deteriorating of intractable political crisis that rocked the state.
The former governor of the state dispelled concerns over the non-usage of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in the elections, saying people were happy casting their votes to their preferred candidates and parties.
He said: “I am very happy. It means that people identify with the election. You have not heard of any violence. You have not heard of carrying ballot boxes. 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.
“Of course we are concerned, 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.”
