* As Wike’s camp lauds process
There were palpable worries on Saturday, as the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, boycotted the local government area election in the State.
Reports said that notable supporters of the governor including Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff to the Government House, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, the Secretary to the Government, the sacked 23 local government chairmen, and others, did not participate the election.
Also, members of the Simplified Movement, a socio-political organisation, loyal to Fubara, were not seen anywhere near the voting centres.
When electoral material arrived at Fubara’s unit in ward 5, Opobo, in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, around 11 am, there were assurances that the embattled governor, who had recently mended fences with his political godfather, the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, would participate in the election.
However, till voting concluded in the area around 3:30 pm, Fubara could not appear to express his constitutional duty, leaving doubts on his acceptance of the entire process.
Reports further said that the suspended governor, who is expected to be recalled to office on September 18, did not return to his Opoho home town for the election.
There are speculations that Fubara had travelled to London and did not return for the scheduled election.
Meanwhile, Wike’s political structure in the State, now known as Renewed Hope Agenda, expressed satisfaction with the process.
It was gathered that the election had already been planned, that the poll would be won by candidates produced by Wike’s political structure in the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
It was learned that 20 of the seats were given to the APC, under the leadership of Chief Tony Okocha, while three of the seats were given PDP to produce chairmen.
A source specifically mentioned that the three seats for the PDP were Obio/Akpor, the LGA of the FCT Minister, Port Harcourt City, and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGAs.
* Media Report