The All Progressives Congress (APC) has won 20 out of 23 local government council seats in Rivers State, leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with just three councils, including the prized Port Harcourt City and Obio-Akpor strongholds.
The results were announced on Sunday by the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Dr. Michael Odey, at the Commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt.
According to Odey, the election, contested by 18 political parties, witnessed a “large turnout” of voters across the state and was largely peaceful.
The APC clinched victories across key councils such as Khana (156,027 votes), Emohua (115,380 votes), Etche (100,649 votes), and Oyigbo (101,495 votes). Other councils secured by the party include Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Akuku Toru, Andoni, Asari Toru, Bonny, Degema, Eleme, Gokana, Ikwerre, Ogu Bolo, Okrika, Omuma, Opobo Nkoro, and Tai.
The PDP, however, consolidated control in three strategic urban councils: Obio-Akpor: Gift Worlu (328,823 votes) Port Harcourt City: Allwell Ihunda (235,054 votes) and Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni: Shedrack Chuku (51,051 votes)
The polls were described as peaceful, with voters commending the conduct of RSIEC and security agencies. FCT Minister and former Rivers governor Nyesom Wike voted in his hometown, Rumuepirikom, hailing the turnout as a demonstration of Rivers people’s political will.
Stakeholders have noted that the APC’s sweep represents a major power shift in Rivers grassroots politics, though the PDP’s retention of Port Harcourt and Obio-Akpor—its traditional bastions—ensures the battle for political dominance in the state remains far from settled.
