Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State swore in 23 newly elected local government chairmen on October 6, 2024, just a day after a tense election. According to reports gathered by Naijassador, the Action People’s Party (APP) won 22 chairmanship positions, with the Action Alliance (AA) winning only in Etche LGA. During the swearing-in at the Government House in Port Harcourt, Fubara advised the new chairmen to serve the people and avoid confrontational politics.
He acknowledged Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and thanked President Bola Tinubu for supporting democracy. The governor warned the chairmen about potential violence when they assumed office and urged them to stay patient and calculative.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar praised the people of Rivers for their resilience in the face of adversity, subtly criticizing FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. Several Wike loyalists won key positions, including Tonye Oniyide-Briggs in Akuku-Toru and Chijioke Ihunwo in Obio/Akpor.
Despite controversies surrounding the election, the Action Peoples Party (APP), backed by Fubara, emerged dominant, winning 22 out of 23 LGAs.
Here are the winners;
⦁ Abua/Odual – Vincent Reuben Obu
⦁ Ahoada-East – Chibudom Ezu
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⦁ Ahoada-West – Iyekor Ikporo.
⦁ Akuku-Toru – Hon. Mrs. Tonye Oniyide-Briggs (served as Commissioner for culture and tourism under former Gov Wike).
⦁ Andoni – Lazarus Gogote Nteogwuile.
⦁ Asari-Toru – Sule Amachree.
⦁ Bonny – Dame Hon. Anengi Barasua Claude-Wilcox (re-elected)
⦁ Degema – Harry Agiriye (former permanent secretary)
⦁ Eleme – Brain Gokpa (serving Caretaker Committee Chairman)
⦁ Emohua – David Omereji (serving Caretaker Committee Chairman)
⦁ Etche – Uzodinma Nwafor, candidate of the Action Alliance (AA)
⦁ Gokana – Monday Dumiye
⦁ Ikwerre – Isreal Abosi
⦁ Khana – Martins Nwigbo
⦁ Obio/Akpor –Chijioke Ihunwo (serving Caretaker Committee Chairman)
⦁ Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni –Prince Isaac Umejuru (served as Commissioner for Urban Development under Gov. Fubara)
⦁ Ogu/Bolo – Ishmael Oforibika
⦁ Okrika – Igwe Achese (Former NUPENG President)
⦁ Omuma – Promise Reginald (serving Caretaker Committee Chairman)
⦁ Opobo/Nkoro – Enyiada Cookey-Gam (Re-elected)
⦁ Oyigbo – Gift Okere (former leader of the All Progressives Congress)
