The Rivers State Local Government Area (LGA) elections held on Saturday were characterized by late commencement in several wards and low voter turnout, raising fresh concerns about voter apathy and the efficiency of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
In Woji Ward 6, Obio/Akpor LGA, election materials arrived late, forcing a delayed start to accreditation and voting. Many residents, frustrated by the wait, abandoned polling stations without casting their ballots. Similar reports of late deployment emerged from other LGAs, further dampening voter enthusiasm.
Partial compliance with the state-imposed restriction on movement also added to the challenges. Traders in parts of Obio/Akpor opened their shops in defiance of the directive, citing economic hardship.
“We have families to feed and bills to pay; staying home isn’t an option,” one shop owner told The Nation.
Despite the logistical setbacks, the polls recorded moments of orderliness. In Rumuepirikom Ward 9, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers governor, Nyesom Wike, cast his vote and expressed satisfaction with the process. He praised the peaceful atmosphere and described the conduct as consistent with democratic standards.
Security operatives maintained strong presence across the state, particularly in flashpoint areas. Their deployment was credited with averting violence and ensuring the relative calm that defined the exercise.
As of press time, RSIEC had not issued an official statement on the reported delays or the low turnout. However, civil society groups and election observers have called on the commission to strengthen its logistics and voter mobilization strategies to forestall a repeat in future elections.
While results are still being awaited, Saturday’s polls once again underscored recurring lapses in election planning and citizen engagement in Rivers State.
