Opposition Remains Absent During Local Government Elections in Rivers, Led by Fubara's Loyalists
In Rivers State, the chairmanship and councillorship elections took place on a limited scale, with a notable absence - that of the suspended Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Fubara, who hails from Opobo Local Government Area, was reportedly absent from his ward during the elections. A source revealed that he had travelled to London ahead of the polls and did not return in time for the election. No public information is available about who announced Fubara's travel to London before the local elections in Rivers State before September 18.
The political structure backing Fubara, the Simplified Movement, was also absent from polling centres across the state. The recently sacked 23 local government chairmen were absent as well. Top aides and loyalists of the suspended governor, including the Chief of Staff to the Government House, Edison Ehie, and the Secretary to the State Government, Tammy Danagogo, were also conspicuously absent.
Electoral materials arrived at Fubara's polling unit in Ward 5, Opobo/Nkoro LGA, around 11 am. The chairmen and councillors were elected in these elections, but as of the close of polls, Fubara had not returned to his hometown of Opobo. Many had expected Fubara to turn up at his polling unit after his recent reconciliation with his political godfather and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Interestingly, Fubara did not show up to cast his ballot as voting ended at about 3:30 pm. It is worth noting that the suspension of Governor Fubara is due to be lifted on September 18. The identities of the elected chairmen and councillors have not been specified in the current report.
These developments in Rivers State elections are a significant departure from the usual political landscape, with the absence of key figures and the limited scale of the elections. The aftermath of these elections and the return of Governor Fubara will be closely watched in the coming days.
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