Rivers LG polls: APC leads as PDP boycotts elections

Candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were ahead yesterday in 22 of the 23 councils during the local government polls conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

The exercise, though peaceful, was however marred by low turn-out caused by heavy early morning downpour.

The rain, which started around 6am, flooded the major streets of Port-Harcourt.

Though the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) boycotted the exercise, over 27 political parties participated in the polls, according to RSIEC's chairman, Prof. Augustine Ahiauzu.

The election, however, didn't hold in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni council where the tenure of the chairman and councillors will end next year.

Some voters, candidates and leaders of the parties praised the RSIEC for conducting a free, fair and transparent election in the state.

When the rain eventually subsided in the afternoon, officials of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) and the electorate were sighted at the various polling units.

The APC accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of misinforming the public that the council polls had been shelved.

The PDP had approached a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt for an order to stop the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) from releasing updated voters' register to RSIEC for the conduct of the May 23 local government council elections in Rivers State.

However, Justice Lambo Akanbi adjourned the matter after hearing from counsel to Rivers State government and RSIEC, Beluolisa Nwofor, who informed the court that he had filed an objection at the Court of Appeal.