By Tina Amanda
The Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has inaugurated 23 newly elected local government area (LGA) chairmen following their victories in Saturday’s local government elections across the state.
The swearing-in ceremony, held on Sunday at the Executive Council Chambers in Government House, Port Harcourt, saw 22 chairmen from the Action Peoples Party (APP) and one from Action Alliance (AA) officially take office.
The event was attended by high-profile dignitaries, including Bauchi State Governor and Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, Bala Mohammed, Rivers State Deputy Governor, Professor Ngozi Ordu, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Victor Oko-Jumbo, Deputy Speaker Adolphus Oruibienimigha, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dagogo Iboroma, Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Ehie Edison, among others.
Also in attendance were former Governor Celestine Omehia, former Deputy Governor Tele Ikuru, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Austin Opara, Senators John Mbata, Lee Maeba, Abiye Sekibo, and House of Representatives members Awaji-Inombek Abiante and Boma Goodhead. Uche Secondus, former national chairman of the PDP, was also present.
The ceremony followed the presentation of certificates of return to the elected chairmen by the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), retired Justice Adolphus Enebeli, after the October 5, 2024, local government elections.
In the election, the APP secured 22 out of 23 LGA chairmanship seats, while Action Alliance won in Etche LGA. RSIEC Chairman Justice Enebeli declared the results late Saturday night.
Despite the largely peaceful nature of the election, reports indicated a noticeable absence of police and other security personnel at some polling units, though only a few unconfirmed incidents were reported.
Governor Fubara congratulated the newly elected chairmen and urged them to immediately begin working to improve the welfare of their communities. He emphasized the importance of serving the people, stating, “When you serve the people well, that is the structure.”
He also reminded the chairmen of the challenges they faced in the electoral process and stressed the importance of not disappointing the electorate. “The battle to free the state has been fought and won by the people,” Fubara added.
The Governor acknowledged President Tinubu’s support in ensuring the successful election of LGA chairmen in the state and expressed gratitude that the political battle ended in his favor.
