Trending 
Residents across the 23 local government areas of Rivers State are casting their votes today in the council elections organised by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
The election, taking place in 6,866 polling units across 319 wards, comes six months after the Supreme Court nullified the previous council election conducted on October 5, 2024. Rivers, home to key oil assets, is widely regarded as the economic hub of the South-South.
Ahead of the LG elections, RSIEC Chairman Michael Odey urged voters to conduct themselves peacefully and in line with electoral guidelines.
This morning, major roads in Port Harcourt were deserted as residents trooped to polling stations. At the Abacha-AGIP junction and surrounding areas, the quiet streets reflected the significance of the exercise. While some residents were seen taking walks, others struggled to get commercial vehicles to their destinations.
At Ward 11, Ume Vincent, the ward chairman, said many voters had turned out early and were waiting for RSIEC officials to commence the process. Among the early arrivals was 69-year-old Evangelist Lizzy Paul, who expressed excitement about participating in the polls.
In Ward 9, Rumuepirikom Civic Centre, which serves as a Registration Area Centre (RAC) for over 70 polling units, election officials were still awaiting the arrival of some materials. Ward chairman Chuwu Collins told News Central that materials had begun to arrive and that the voting process was expected to start by 8:00 a.m. “The atmosphere has been peaceful. We expect the remaining materials to come in and we’re hopeful the process will be orderly,” he said.
By 7:30 a.m., election materials and ad hoc staff were seen preparing for the exercise at Ward Rumueme 7A, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
RSIEC has assured that the election will be transparent and credible.
