The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has described Saturday’s local government elections in Rivers State as a success.
Wike, who voted at his polling unit in Rumuepirikom, Obio/Akpor LGA, praised the exercise as smooth and in line with the Supreme Court’s directive that only elected councils can access funds from the Federation Account.
The former Rivers governor said the polls were a vital step in strengthening grassroots democracy.
“Now that the local government election is taking place, elected representatives will receive funds directly from the Federation Account. The Supreme Court has made it clear that there is nothing like caretaker committees in local governments,” Wike said in a statement signed by his aide, Lere Olayinka.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for ensuring the elections were held and also applauded the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for what he called a well-organised process.
“I want to thank RSIEC for carrying out a successful election. From what I can see in my community, turnout is strong. In residential areas, people came out in large numbers, while commercial areas naturally had fewer voters. Reports from rural communities also indicate high participation,” he added.
Wike dismissed fears that the results could be challenged in court. According to him, the process was “very clear and known to the law,” stressing that the elections will help complete the governance structure in Rivers once the current emergency rule ends in September.
The Supreme Court had earlier ruled that it was unconstitutional for states to run local governments with caretaker committees, insisting that only elected councils can access federal allocations. Saturday’s polls in Rivers were therefore seen as a major test of compliance with that ruling.
