A list of the LGAs where Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, will likely conduct reruns elections for the Rivers State gubernatorial election has surfaced.
Although, an earlier statement by the commissioner and chairman of voters education Committee, Festus Okoye, did not name the LGAs, he said that the collation has been completed in 17 local governments out of 23.
According to Okoye: “On the 10th of March 2019, the Commission suspended all electoral processes in Rivers State having determined that there was widespread disruption of collation of results of the elections conducted on the 9th day of March 2019. Subsequently, the Commission set up a Fact-Finding Committee to assess the situation and report back within 48 hours.
“The Commission met on the 15th day of March 2019 and considered the report of the Committee and established the following:
“That the Governorship and State Assembly elections took place in most of the polling units and results were announced.
“That the results from 17 Local Governments out of 23 are available and are in the Commission’s custody.
“That the Declaration and Returns for 21 State Constituencies out of 32 were made prior to the suspension.
“That collation centres were invaded by some soldiers and armed gangs resulting in the intimidation and unlawful arrest of election officials thereby disrupting the collation process.
“Consequent upon the foregoing, the Commission:
“Expresses its displeasure with the role played by some soldiers and armed gangs in Rivers State disrupting the collation process and attempting to subvert the will of the people.
“INEC is committed to expeditious completion of the collation process where results of the elections have been announced.
“Will engage the security agencies at the national level and the lnter-Agency Consultative Committee at the State level to demand neutrality and professionalism of security personnel in order to secure a peaceful environment for the completion of the elections.
“Will also engage with key stakeholders in Rivers State with a view to ensuring a smooth and peaceful completion of the process.
“Will issue detailed timelines and activities for the completion of the election on Wednesday, March 20th, 2019. “
Bụt a list posted on the Facebook handle of the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, showed that the local government areas where collation has been completed are:
1. Opobo/Nkoro
2. Ahoada West
3. Okirika
4. Ogu/Bolo
5. Ikwerre
6. Degema
7. Tai
8. Obio/Akpor
9. Eleme
10. Bonny
11. Ahoada East
12. Omuma
13. Andoni
14. Etche
15. Emohua
16. Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni
17. Port-Harcourt
There will be a rerun in the following 6 affected LGAs, and for the remaining 11 Constituencies at the State Assembly.
The six LGAs for 20th March election are:
1. Gokana
2. Khana
3. Asari-toru
4. Akuku-toru
5. Abua-odual
6. Oyibo
