Rivers LG Polls: We Must Thank President Tinubu For Ensuring LG Elections Hold — Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for ensuring that local government elections were conducted in Rivers State, describing the exercise as a decisive step toward stabilizing grassroots governance.

“We have to thank Mr. President for making sure that this election is conducted. The Supreme Court has said there is nothing like caretaker committees in local governments, and if there are no elected people, funds will not come from the Federation Account to the local government accounts,” Wike told journalists on Saturday after casting his vote at Polling Unit 007, Ward 9 (Rumuepirikom Kingdom), Obio/Akpor LGA.

The former Rivers governor expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the polls and turnout of voters across the state, stressing that elected local government officials would now be able to access funds directly as directed by the Supreme Court. He noted that this would prevent governance gaps when the state’s emergency rule is lifted in September.

Wike praised the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for a smooth process and commended citizens for participating actively.

“Rivers people are happy to have their own people contesting elections, and I have gotten a lot of reports from the rural areas that people came out very well. I am very happy with the turnout,” he said.

He dismissed concerns over the legality of the exercise, emphasizing that the Supreme Court had nullified previous arrangements that lacked constitutional backing.

“If you do something not known to law, it will be set aside. Today’s election is lawful, that is why people are coming out confidently to vote,” Wike added.

The minister maintained that the successful conduct of the election would go a long way in strengthening grassroots democracy and restoring stability in Rivers.

“Everybody must stand out to support this particular election. By the time the emergency rule is lifted in September, with the governor and State Assembly returning, the local government system will now be complete,” he stated.

Ardo  Zubairu 

National Secretary 

TInubu Re- Election Project 2027 . Office Phones: 

08033305195

08098885195

07033454053

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