Winners of Rivers’ most peaceful election known ahead of voting due to ‘collabo’ system

Nobody seems to be waiting for the result of the local council election in the 23 LGAs. This is because the election, dubbed as “the most peaceful”, was conducted under what is now known in the state as “collabo.”

The system began during the primaries when the two contending forces in the state who are found in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) decided to produce one set of candidates per LGA.

This may be because the man they call “The Leader” is in control of both parties in what many call PDAPC.

During the primaries therefore, they were said to have sat down to allocate the LGAs to which party would control it. The PDP was said to have got three including the local government of the Minister of the FCT, while the APC got 20. Each candidate however, is fiercely loyal to the Minister.

This was possible because of the submission of the suspended governor, Sim Fubara, who has handed back the structure to his godfather as condition for peace and for him to return as governor after the state of emergency. His camp was asked to lie low because the leader (Fubara) had negotiated peace with his estranged godfather who was said to have insisted on return of the structure as condition for forward steps and return of the suspended governor.

So, with Fubara and his camp which had migrated to the APP from where they had captured the LGA structure during the October 2024 LGA election, the coast w]as clear for the Wike camp which was shared between PDP and APC to share the LGAs.

The primaries were thus, used to harmonise the lists. The election of Saturday, August 30, 2025, was thus, used as endorsement of what was agreed upon.

The conduct looked very perfect and smooth. Turnout was scanty because the people already knew the winners because there was no serious challenge in any LGA.

Some units concluded by about 12 noon. The election body merely tried to put up an act.

Read also: Rivers LG poll: NOA pushes for violence-free polls, holds roundtable on effective citizens’ participation

Nyesom Wike, the FCT Minister and Kingsley Chinda, member representing Obio/Akpor federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, cast their votes in the August 30 Local Government Council Elections.

Wike voted at the polling point in unit 7, Ward 9, Rumuepirikon, Obio-Akpor LGA at about 11: 00am in an election described as peaceful and well organised.

The FCT minister was accompanied by Philip Aduda, senator, and other state and party officials.

Wike said the conduct of the polls is a steps towards establishing democratic rule at the grassroots in the state, adding that this is necessary as Rivers State inches towards September 18, 2025 when the state of emergency imposed by President Bola Tinubu is expected to elapse.

He commended the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for conducting a free and fair election.

Emma Okas Wike, immediate past President of the Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), pointed out that the local council elections afford Rivers State the opportunity to strengthen democracy at the grassroots.

He urged those elected from the elections, as council chairmen and councilors, to put the interest of the electorates first in their decision-making and actions while in office.

Allswell Ogbonda Johnson, an 81-year-old retired civil servant, who voted in Ward 9, Obio/Akpor, expressed gratitude to God and the government for giving him the opportunity to perform his civic duty once more.