Fubara, Allies’ Absence in Rivers LG Election Raises Concern

The absence of suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and his key loyalists from Saturday’s local government election has stirred unease across the state.

Despite the arrival of electoral materials at his Ward 5 polling unit in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area around 11 am, Fubara did not show up to cast his ballot until voting ended at about 3:30 pm.

Top supporters of the governor, including Chief of Staff Edison Ehie, Secretary to the State Government Dr. Tammy Danagogo, the sacked 23 local government chairmen, as well as members of the Simplified Movement, were also noticeably absent from polling centres.

Sources said the governor, who is expected to be recalled to office on September 18, had travelled to London ahead of the election and did not return to his hometown, Opobo, for the exercise.

A resident, who asked not to be named, confirmed that the governor’s unit was opened for voting but that he never showed up.

Although the reason for his absence could not be ascertained, observers described it as “glaring and worrisome.”

Meanwhile, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike’s camp, operating under the Renewed Hope Agenda, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the election. 

It was learnt that the outcome had been largely shaped to favour Wike’s political structure, with 20 chairmanship seats allotted to the All Progressives Congress under Chief Tony Okocha, while the Peoples Democratic Party was left with three slots.