The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission has released the final list of political parties and candidates cleared to contest the August 30 local government elections, with 16 parties given the green light.
According to a statement signed by the RSIEC Chairman, Dr. Michael Odey, the list followed a screening exercise held at the commission’s headquarters along Aba Road, Port Harcourt, between Friday, August 8, and Tuesday, August 12, in line with the revised election timetable.
Beyond the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress, other cleared parties include the Labour Party, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Zenith Party, Accord Party, African Action Congress, Action People’s Party, and the Social Democratic Party.
Others are the Action Alliance, Youth Party, Young Progressive Party, Action Democratic Party, New Nigerian People’s Party, African Democratic Party, National Rescue Movement, and the Allied People’s Party.
From the list sighted by our correspondent, the PDP fielded only three chairmanship candidates, while the APC presented 20 chairmanship candidates across the state’s 23 LGAs.
The PDP candidates are Dr. Gift Worlu for Obio/Akpor—home LGA of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike— Allwell Ihunda for Port Harcourt City LGA, and Chukwu Ogbugu for Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA.
The APC candidates, mostly loyalists of Wike and many of whom previously served as LGA chairmen during his tenure as governor, include Confidence Deko for Gokana LGA, Dr. Chidi Lloyd for Emohua LGA, Obari Ollormate for Eleme LGA, Akuro Tobins for Okrika LGA, and Dr. Thomas Bari-ara, among others.
Our correspondent observed that the Labour Party and 14 other parties did not field candidates for all chairmanship and councillorship positions in the 23 LGAs.
Meanwhile, the RSIEC Chairman urged political parties and their candidates to check the commission’s headquarters for the posted names.
Speaking at an interactive session with civil society organisations, Odey sought their collaboration, as well as that of security agencies, to ensure a credible poll.
“We want to assure you that RSIEC will provide a level playing field for everyone. We also welcome constructive feedback from civil society as we fine-tune our preparations.
“Credible elections are not the responsibility of the commission alone; they require collective support from election management bodies, security agencies, civil society organisations, the media, and ultimately the people themselves. Together, let us make the August 30 elections a model of democratic excellence for our people,” he said.
The LG election, being spearheaded by the Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), comes less than a month to the end of the six-month emergency rule declared by President Bola Tinubu in the state and the expected resumption of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The Supreme Court had nullified the LG poll previous conducted by Fubara, which put him in control of the local councils, with his loyalist winning at the poll.(Punch)
