The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has released the final list of political parties and candidates approved to contest in the upcoming local government elections scheduled for August 30.
According to a statement signed by RSIEC Chairman, Dr. Michael Odey, 16 political parties were cleared following a screening exercise held at the commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt from August 8 to 12.
The cleared parties include the major players, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) as well as others such as the Labour Party, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), African Action Congress (AAC), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and several others.
Notably, while the APC is fielding chairmanship candidates in 20 of the state’s 23 local government areas, the PDP has only presented candidates in three LGAs. The PDP’s candidates include Dr. Gift Worlu (Obio/Akpor), Allwell Ihunda (Port Harcourt City) and Chukwu Ogbugu (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni).
Many of the APC candidates are known loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, and are returning LGA chairmen from his administration.
Among them are Confidence Deko (Gokana), Dr. Chidi Lloyd (Emohua), Obari Ollormate (Eleme), Akuro Tobins (Okrika), and Dr. Thomas Bari-ara.
Meanwhile, most of the remaining 14 parties did not present candidates for all chairmanship and councillorship positions across the 23 LGAs.
RSIEC has posted the full list of cleared candidates at its headquarters and is encouraging parties and candidates to review it.
Dr. Odey also held an interactive session with civil society groups, calling for their support, along with that of security agencies, to ensure a transparent and credible electoral process.
“RSIEC is committed to providing a level playing field. Free and fair elections require collective input from civil society, the media, security agencies, and the people,” Odey stated.
The upcoming LG elections are taking place under a transitional political climate in Rivers State.
The vote is being organized by the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), and comes just weeks before the expected end of a six-month emergency rule declared by President Bola Tinubu.
This follows a Supreme Court ruling that invalidated previous local government elections held by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, whose loyalists had previously won across the councils.
The court decision paved the way for a fresh poll, setting the stage for a renewed political contest—one that appears to be heavily influenced by Wike’s camp.
