APC sweeps 20 Rivers council polls, PDP takes three LGAs

By Promise Eze

31 August 2025

News

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has won 20 chairmanship seats in the Rivers State local government elections, leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with victories in only three LGAs.

Announcing the results on Sunday, Michael Ekpai Odey, chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), said the polls were conducted under the supervision of Ibok-Ete Ibas, the state’s sole administrator.

Suspended governor Siminalayi Fubara lost his Opobo-Nkoro LGA to the APC, with both he and his supporters absent during Saturday’s exercise.

After casting his vote, Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), declared that the “coast is clear” for the end of emergency rule in the state.

The former governor described the elections as “largely peaceful” and dismissed reports of voter apathy, as well as concerns over the non-compulsory use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers earlier this year, following political unrest.

He also suspended Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and members of the state assembly for six months.

In June, Tinubu hosted Wike, Fubara and lawmakers at the State House, Abuja, in an attempt to broker peace.

Results by LGA

1. Abua/Odual: Ofori Owolabi (APC)

2. Ahoada East: Solomon Achoma (APC)

3. Ahoada West: Eugene Epelle (APC)

4. Akuku Toru: Bob Fubara (APC)

5. Andoni: Lucky Promise (APC)

6. Asari Toru: George Onegiyeofori (APC)

7. Bonny: Abinye Blessing Pepple (APC)

8. Degema: Michael John Williams (APC)